Frank Fielding
Encyclopedia
Francis David "Frank" Fielding (born 4 April 1988) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Derby County
.
, Fielding is a product of Blackburn Rovers
Academy. He joined League Two
side Wycombe Wanderers
on 28 September 2007 on a three-month loan deal alongside Bolton Wanderers
' Polish
goalkeeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak
. The deal was made due to Wycombe having injury problems with both first team goalkeepers Scott Shearer
and Jamie Young
. Fielding made his debut a day after signing on loan, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win at Bradford City
. His loan was extended until the end of the season on 10 January 2008 and he managed to keep his place after the return to fitness of Young.
He then joined Northampton Town
on loan for three months on 9 September where he made 12 appearances before returning to Blackburn.
Fielding moved out on loan again, this time to Rochdale
on 6 January 2009, where he starred before eventually featuring in an unsuccessful playoff attempt, losing to Gillingham
in the semi-finals. On 2 February, Fielding extended his stay with Rochdale until the end of the 2008–09 season.
On 29 September 2009, Fielding joined Leeds United
on a one-month emergency loan to cover for the injured Shane Higgs
. He was named as an unused substitute in Leeds' game against Carlisle. He was unavailable for Leeds' Football League Trophy
game against Darlington as he was called up to England under-21 team. Fielding played his first game for Leeds the reserve team
against Hartlepool United
on 13 October. After being unable to displace Casper Ankergren
, On 26 October, Leeds announced they would not be renewing his loan and he returned to Blackburn. On 1 February 2010, Fielding returned to Rochdale on loan until the end of the 2009–10
season and made his debut in the 1–0 defeat at Bury
, eventually helping Rochdale to a third place finish and promotion to Football League One.
Fielding again started the 2010–11 season out of the first team picture as Paul Robinson's understudy. He was linked with a move to Championship
side Derby County
. The interest caused Fielding to issue a "come-and-get-me" plea, stating "It is the worst feeling when you are training all week and not playing - so if anyone wants me on loan, I'm available!" He joined Derby on a four-week emergency loan on 15 October 2010 and went straight into the squad for the home match against Preston North End
the next day, keeping a cleansheet on his debut as the team ran out 3–0 winners. The loan was extended for an additional month on 13 November, after his seven appearances had reaped three clean sheets and 15 points from a possible 21 as Derby moved to fourth in the table. After Stephen Bywater
returned from his wrist injury, Fielding returned to Blackburn in December. He was then named on the subs bench for Blackburn to cover from Mark Bunn
when Paul Robinson picked up an injury. In February 2011, after Bywater and Saul Deeney
picked up injuries, Fielding returned to Derby on loan. Though the deal was initially announced as being until the end of the 2010-11 season, Fielding's two month emergency loan deal with the club in October and November meant that he could only remain at the club for an additional month, with his second stay ending after the away fixture at Crystal Palace
on March 19, 2011, though Fielding would train with the Derby squad for the remainder of the season.
Having left Derby 7th in the table, Fielding returned to the club in 19th after it had claimed only six points from the thirteen fixtures since his departure. In his first five games back at Derby, Fielding kept two clean sheets helping The Rams to an important wins against Sheffield United
and Swansea City and draws with Barnsley
and Crystal Palace
. The 8 points from six games played in Fielding's second loan spell, came in stark contrast to the mere six point return from the 12 games since Fielding's previous loan spell finished.
match against Nottingham Forest
, despite this Derby still won the match 2-1. After his ban Fielding was restored to Derby's starting line up and has since been impressive, especially as Derby played out a one-all draw with Southampton
.
debut on 18 November 2008, replacing the injured Joe Lewis in the 33rd minute at Bramall Lane
against the Czech Republic
.
Fielding received his first England
call-up on 10 August 2010 for the friendly against Hungary
, after Ben Foster
withdrew from the squad. The decision to call up a keeper whose highest level of domestic experience was in the third tier of English football drew criticism.
Fielding was called up to the under-21 squad for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
. Although Fielding was 23 at the time of his call up, he was under 21 when the qualification phase began, making him eligible for the tournament. Fielding played the full 90 minutes of a pre-tournament friendly against the Norway under-21s
on 5 June, keeping a clean sheet as England won 2-0.
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...
.
Club career
Born in Blackburn LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Fielding is a product of Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
Academy. He joined League Two
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....
side Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
on 28 September 2007 on a three-month loan deal alongside Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
' Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
goalkeeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak
Przemyslaw Kazimierczak
Przemysław Kazimierczak is a Polish football goalkeeper.-Career:Kazimierczak began playing football at ŁKS Łódź's youth academy. In 2004 he joined Bolton Wanderers' academy. During the 2006–07 season he spent two months on loan at Accrington Stanley and played eight games before returning to...
. The deal was made due to Wycombe having injury problems with both first team goalkeepers Scott Shearer
Scott Shearer
Scott Shearer is a Scottish footballer who plays for Crawley Town as a goalkeeper.-Career:Born in Glasgow, Shearer began his career in Scotland with Albion Rovers before moving to amateur side Tower Hearts. He then returned to Albion before joining Coventry City in 2003...
and Jamie Young
Jamie Young
Jamie Iain Young is an Australian-born English football goalkeeper, currently playing for Aldershot Town.-Club career:...
. Fielding made his debut a day after signing on loan, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. His loan was extended until the end of the season on 10 January 2008 and he managed to keep his place after the return to fitness of Young.
He then joined Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on loan for three months on 9 September where he made 12 appearances before returning to Blackburn.
Fielding moved out on loan again, this time to 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 6 January 2009, where he starred before eventually featuring in an unsuccessful playoff attempt, losing to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in the semi-finals. On 2 February, Fielding extended his stay with Rochdale until the end of the 2008–09 season.
On 29 September 2009, Fielding joined Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on a one-month emergency loan to cover for the injured Shane Higgs
Shane Higgs
Shane Peter Higgs is an English footballer who is currently without a club after being released by Leeds United in the summer of 2011.-Early career:...
. He was named as an unused substitute in Leeds' game against Carlisle. He was unavailable for Leeds' Football League 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...
game against Darlington as he was called up to England under-21 team. Fielding played his first game for Leeds the reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
against Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
on 13 October. After being unable to displace Casper Ankergren
Casper Ankergren
Casper Ankergren is a Danish professional football goalkeeper currently playing for English team Brighton & Hove Albion...
, On 26 October, Leeds announced they would not be renewing his loan and he returned to Blackburn. On 1 February 2010, Fielding returned to Rochdale on loan until the end of the 2009–10
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...
season and made his debut in the 1–0 defeat at 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...
, eventually helping Rochdale to a third place finish and promotion to Football League One.
Fielding again started the 2010–11 season out of the first team picture as Paul Robinson's understudy. He was linked with a move to 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...
side 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...
. The interest caused Fielding to issue a "come-and-get-me" plea, stating "It is the worst feeling when you are training all week and not playing - so if anyone wants me on loan, I'm available!" He joined Derby on a four-week emergency loan on 15 October 2010 and went straight into the squad for the home match against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
the next day, keeping a cleansheet on his debut as the team ran out 3–0 winners. The loan was extended for an additional month on 13 November, after his seven appearances had reaped three clean sheets and 15 points from a possible 21 as Derby moved to fourth in the table. After Stephen Bywater
Stephen Bywater
Stephen Michael Bywater, is an English professional football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He has made appearances for seven clubs, most notably his current club Derby County, where he won the 2007 Championship Playoff final and West Ham United, where he spent eight seasons and made over 60...
returned from his wrist injury, Fielding returned to Blackburn in December. He was then named on the subs bench for Blackburn to cover from Mark Bunn
Mark Bunn (footballer)
Mark John Bunn is an English footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers as a goalkeeper in the Premier League.-Northampton Town:...
when Paul Robinson picked up an injury. In February 2011, after Bywater and Saul Deeney
Saul Deeney
Saul Deeney is a footballer who plays for Derby County as a goalkeeper. He has previously represented the Republic of Ireland at Youth and under-21 level.-Club career:...
picked up injuries, Fielding returned to Derby on loan. Though the deal was initially announced as being until the end of the 2010-11 season, Fielding's two month emergency loan deal with the club in October and November meant that he could only remain at the club for an additional month, with his second stay ending after the away fixture at 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...
on March 19, 2011, though Fielding would train with the Derby squad for the remainder of the season.
Having left Derby 7th in the table, Fielding returned to the club in 19th after it had claimed only six points from the thirteen fixtures since his departure. In his first five games back at Derby, Fielding kept two clean sheets helping The Rams to an important wins 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...
and Swansea City and draws with Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and 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...
. The 8 points from six games played in Fielding's second loan spell, came in stark contrast to the mere six point return from the 12 games since Fielding's previous loan spell finished.
Derby County
On 9 May 2011, it was announced that Fielding had signed a three-year deal subject to the FA and Premier League's approval, for a fee of £400,000. On 17 September 2011, Fielding was sent off after 67 seconds in the East Midlands derbyEast Midlands derby
This article is only about games featuring Nottingham Forest and Derby County. For games with either of those clubs against Leicester City, see Leicester City F.C. and Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry or Derby County F.C. and Leicester City F.C. rivalry....
match against 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...
, despite this Derby still won the match 2-1. After his ban Fielding was restored to Derby's starting line up and has since been impressive, especially as Derby played out a one-all draw with Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
.
International career
He made his England under-21England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
debut on 18 November 2008, replacing the injured Joe Lewis in the 33rd minute at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national under-21 football team
The Czech Republic national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of the Czech Republic and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic...
.
Fielding received his first England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
call-up on 10 August 2010 for the friendly against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
, after Ben Foster
Ben Foster (footballer)
Benjamin Anthony "Ben" Foster is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Birmingham City, and internationally for the England national team.-Stoke City:...
withdrew from the squad. The decision to call up a keeper whose highest level of domestic experience was in the third tier of English football drew criticism.
Fielding was called up to the under-21 squad for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
. Although Fielding was 23 at the time of his call up, he was under 21 when the qualification phase began, making him eligible for the tournament. Fielding played the full 90 minutes of a pre-tournament friendly against the Norway under-21s
Norway national under-21 football team
The Norwegian national under-21 football team, controlled by the Football Association of Norway, is the national football team of Norway for players of 21 years of age or under at the start of a UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign...
on 5 June, keeping a clean sheet as England won 2-0.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
2007-08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wycombe Wanderers Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play... (loan) |
2007-08 | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... (loan) |
2008-09 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 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... (loan) |
2008-09 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Leeds United (loan) | 2009-10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rochdale (loan) | 2009-10 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 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... (loan) |
2010-11 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 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... |
2011-12 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Career Total | 127 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 0 | |