Graham Fenton
Encyclopedia
Graham Anthony Fenton is an English
professional footballer, currently playing for North Shields. He was also capped once by England
at under-21 level.
as a trainee in June 1990, turning professional in February 1992. He was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion
in January 1994, making his league debut against Leicester City in the same month. His loan spell at Albion was very successful, producing three goals in seven games and contributing to Albion's eventual survival in Division One, leaving many Albion fans "bitterly disappointed" when he did not sign permanently. He instead returned to Villa, making his club debut in a 0-0 Premiership
draw at home to Manchester City
on 22 February 1994. In March 1994 he played in Villa's League Cup
winning side, playing all of the 3-1 victory against Manchester United
at Wembley. Fenton made his only appearance for the England Under-21s on 15 November 1994 in a 1-0 win against Ireland U-21s at St James' Park
; the team included several future full internationals, including Sol Campbell
and Nicky Butt
.
In November 1995, having never claimed a regular place in the Villa first team, Fenton made a £1,500,000 move to reigning Premiership champions Blackburn, but with Alan Shearer
and Chris Sutton
in rich goalscoring form his first team opportunities were limited. He scored seven times for Blackburn, including two as a late substitute against Newcastle United
, the team Fenton has supported since childhood, in April 1996 which effectively ended Newcastle's title challenge.
In August 1997 he moved to Martin O'Neill
's Leicester City
for a fee of £1,100,000. He scored on his Leicester debut, having replaced Ian Marshall
as a late substitute in the 2-1 win away to Liverpool
, but again struggled to establish himself, making only 34 league appearances (21 as substitute) over three seasons.
He joined Walsall
on loan in March 2000, scoring once against Port Vale, and had an unsuccessful trial with Barnsley
in July 2000. In August 2000 he joined Stoke City
on a monthly contract, scoring once against Reading, and at the end of the following month signed for St Mirren on a two-year contract.
In August 2001 Fenton joined Blackpool
on a free transfer, but once more struggled to establish himself in the first team. He had a spell on loan with Darlington
between September and December 2002, scoring once against Bournemouth, and was one of nine players released by Blackpool manager Steve McMahon
in May 2003.
In July 2003 Fenton returned to the North East of England, joining Blyth Spartans. Blyth manager Paul Baker
appointed Fenton as player-assistant manager in July 2004. Fenton took over as caretaker-manager of Blyth when Baker left that September, returning to his player-assistant manager role in October 2004 after the appointment of Harry Dunn
as manager. In the 2005-06 season he was part of the Spartans' side that gained promotion to the Conference North
by winning the Northern Premier League
.
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...
professional footballer, currently playing for North Shields. He was also capped once by 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...
at under-21 level.
Career
Fenton joined Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
as a trainee in June 1990, turning professional in February 1992. He was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in January 1994, making his league debut against Leicester City in the same month. His loan spell at Albion was very successful, producing three goals in seven games and contributing to Albion's eventual survival in Division One, leaving many Albion fans "bitterly disappointed" when he did not sign permanently. He instead returned to Villa, making his club debut in a 0-0 Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
draw at home to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on 22 February 1994. In March 1994 he played in Villa's 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...
winning side, playing all of the 3-1 victory against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Wembley. Fenton made his only appearance for the England Under-21s on 15 November 1994 in a 1-0 win against Ireland U-21s at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
; the team included several future full internationals, including Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell
Sulzeer Jeremiah "Sol" Campbell is an English footballer who is currently a free agent. A central defender, Campbell has played for Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United, as well as the English national team.Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Campbell's...
and Nicky Butt
Nicky Butt
Nicholas "Nicky" Butt is an English footballer. He began his career with Manchester United and spent 12 years in their first-team before moving to Newcastle United in 2004. He spent one season on loan to Birmingham City in 2005–06...
.
In November 1995, having never claimed a regular place in the Villa first team, Fenton made a £1,500,000 move to reigning Premiership champions Blackburn, but with Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
and Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton
Christopher Roy "Chris" Sutton is an English football manager and former player.In his career, Sutton played for Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Celtic, Birmingham City and Aston Villa. Sutton scored over 150 career goals in over 400 league appearances spanning 16 years in the English...
in rich goalscoring form his first team opportunities were limited. He scored seven times for Blackburn, including two as a late substitute against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, the team Fenton has supported since childhood, in April 1996 which effectively ended Newcastle's title challenge.
In August 1997 he moved to Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
's 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...
for a fee of £1,100,000. He scored on his Leicester debut, having replaced Ian Marshall
Ian Marshall
Ian Paul Marshall is a former professional footballer.-Career:Marshall made his name playing as a defender and striker for Oldham Athletic but started his career as an apprentice with hometown club Everton...
as a late substitute in the 2-1 win away to 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...
, but again struggled to establish himself, making only 34 league appearances (21 as substitute) over three seasons.
He joined Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
on loan in March 2000, scoring once against Port Vale, and had an unsuccessful trial 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...
in July 2000. In August 2000 he joined Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on a monthly contract, scoring once against Reading, and at the end of the following month signed for St Mirren on a two-year contract.
In August 2001 Fenton joined Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on a free transfer, but once more struggled to establish himself in the first team. He had a spell on loan with Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
between September and December 2002, scoring once against Bournemouth, and was one of nine players released by Blackpool manager Steve McMahon
Steve McMahon
Stephen Joseph McMahon is an English former football midfielder who most notably played for Liverpool in the late 1980s...
in May 2003.
In July 2003 Fenton returned to the North East of England, joining Blyth Spartans. Blyth manager Paul Baker
Paul Baker
David Paul Baker is an English former professional footballer.-Playing career:A centre-forward, Baker was a member of the famous Wallsend Boys Club as a youngster, and was subsequently spotted playing for Bishop Auckland, turning professional with Southampton in June 1984 at a cost of £4,000 to...
appointed Fenton as player-assistant manager in July 2004. Fenton took over as caretaker-manager of Blyth when Baker left that September, returning to his player-assistant manager role in October 2004 after the appointment of Harry Dunn
Harry Dunn
Harry Dunn is an English former football player and football club manager. He was most recently the manager of Whitby Town following the end of his contract as manager at Conference North side Blyth Spartans, until October 2010....
as manager. In the 2005-06 season he was part of the Spartans' side that gained promotion to the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
by winning the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
.