Ruel Fox
Encyclopedia
Ruel Adrian Fox is an English former professional football player of Montserrat
ian and Antiguan
descent who played for Norwich City
, Newcastle United
, Tottenham Hotspur
, and West Bromwich Albion
from 1986 to 2002. He is currently chairman of Ipswich
-based club Whitton United
.
match against Coventry City
and made his league debut against Oxford United
at Carrow Road
a few days later.
After several seasons of being a substitute and finding it difficult to hold down a regular first team spot, he eventually established himself and played an important part in the 1992–93 and 1993–94 campaigns, which were two of the best in the club's history. In 1992-93, they led the inaugural FA Premier League
several times before finished a club best third, and in 1993-94 they reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup
, defeating Bayern Munich on the way.
He was a fast, tricky winger who was a handful for defenders and provided good crosses. In 2002, Norwich supporters voted Fox an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame.
Fox left Norwich on 2 February 1994 to join Newcastle United
for a fee of £2,250,000. Upon signing him, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan
described him as "the best player in his position in the country".http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=40028
He played in Newcastle's final 14 games of the 1993-94 season and scored twice as they finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Cup
- the first time since the 1970s
that the Magpies had competed in Europe. He scored 10 league goals in the 1994-95 season
, as the Magpies finished sixth and just missed out on another European campaign having led the league for the first quarter of the season, but the arrival of David Ginola
in June 1995 left Fox facing a fight for regular first team action.
He did, however, play four times for the Magpies the following season
before signing for Tottenham Hotspur
on 6 October 1995 in a deal worth £4.25million. He was Tottenham's second most expensively signed player at the time - second only to Chris Armstrong
who had joined them for £4.5million a few months earlier.http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=40028
Fox was an early member of the Newcastle teams known as "the Entertainers". Fox found it difficult to settle at White Hart Lane
and he was constantly linked with moves away from Tottenham Hotspur
before joining West Bromwich Albion
at the start of the 2000–01 season. He helped them to promotion in 2001–02, before being released at the end of the season. He subsequently retired from playing professionally, and instead ran a restaurant in his hometown of Ipswich
.
Later, Fox played for the Montserrat national team
and was named its head coach in October 2004. He also scouts for players in England who are eligible to play for Montserrat
. He scored for his adopted nation in a match against Antigua in November 2004. He was formerly coach of non-league Whitton United F.C.
, who play in the Ridgeons League. He left some time during 2008 and was replaced by number 2
Ronnie Mauge
who has also since moved on.
In November 2008 Fox returned to hometown Ipswich
and is now running a restaurant/bar as well as becoming a coach at Suffolk College
in partnership with Whitton United
. As of April 2010, Fox was reported to be working as a personal trainer in Ipswich Harrier under 7s running club.
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
ian and Antiguan
Antiguan
Antiguan may refer to:* Something of, or related to Antigua. See also the country, Antigua and Barbuda.* A person from Antigua, or of Antiguan descent. For information about the Antiguan people, see Demographics of Antigua and Barbuda and Culture of Antigua and Barbuda. For specific Antiguans, see...
descent who played for Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, 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...
, Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, and 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...
from 1986 to 2002. He is currently chairman of Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
-based club Whitton United
Whitton United F.C.
Whitton United F.C. is an English football club based in the Whitton area of Ipswich, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at the King George V Playing Fields....
.
Career
Fox made his senior debut for Norwich City during the 1986–87 season in a Full Members CupFull Members Cup
The Full Members Cup was an association football cup competition held in English football from 1985 to 1992. It was also known under its sponsored names of the Simod Cup from 1987 to 1989 and the Zenith Data Systems Cup from 1989 to 1992....
match against Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and made his league debut against Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
a few days later.
After several seasons of being a substitute and finding it difficult to hold down a regular first team spot, he eventually established himself and played an important part in the 1992–93 and 1993–94 campaigns, which were two of the best in the club's history. In 1992-93, they led the inaugural FA Premier League
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...
several times before finished a club best third, and in 1993-94 they reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, defeating Bayern Munich on the way.
He was a fast, tricky winger who was a handful for defenders and provided good crosses. In 2002, Norwich supporters voted Fox an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame.
Fox left Norwich on 2 February 1994 to join 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...
for a fee of £2,250,000. Upon signing him, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
described him as "the best player in his position in the country".http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=40028
He played in Newcastle's final 14 games of the 1993-94 season and scored twice as they finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
- the first time since the 1970s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
that the Magpies had competed in Europe. He scored 10 league goals in the 1994-95 season
1994-95 in English football
-Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw...
, as the Magpies finished sixth and just missed out on another European campaign having led the league for the first quarter of the season, but the arrival of David Ginola
David Ginola
David Karl Ginola is a French former international football player who has also worked as an actor and model.Ginola was born in Gassin, Var...
in June 1995 left Fox facing a fight for regular first team action.
He did, however, play four times for the Magpies the following season
1995-96 in English football
- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
before signing for Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on 6 October 1995 in a deal worth £4.25million. He was Tottenham's second most expensively signed player at the time - second only to Chris Armstrong
Chris Armstrong
Chris Armstrong or Christopher Armstrong may refer to:*Chris Armstrong , former Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur football player*Chris Armstrong , former Sheffield United football player...
who had joined them for £4.5million a few months earlier.http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=40028
Fox was an early member of the Newcastle teams known as "the Entertainers". Fox found it difficult to settle at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
and he was constantly linked with moves away from Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
before joining 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...
at the start of the 2000–01 season. He helped them to promotion in 2001–02, before being released at the end of the season. He subsequently retired from playing professionally, and instead ran a restaurant in his hometown of Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
.
Later, Fox played for the Montserrat national team
Montserrat national football team
The Montserrat national football team represents the small Caribbean island of Montserrat in the CONCACAF football region. Football is the second most popular sport in Montserrat, with cricket being the most-played sport on the island. The team play at the Blakes Estate Stadium in Plymouth and the...
and was named its head coach in October 2004. He also scouts for players in England who are eligible to play for Montserrat
Montserrat national football team
The Montserrat national football team represents the small Caribbean island of Montserrat in the CONCACAF football region. Football is the second most popular sport in Montserrat, with cricket being the most-played sport on the island. The team play at the Blakes Estate Stadium in Plymouth and the...
. He scored for his adopted nation in a match against Antigua in November 2004. He was formerly coach of non-league Whitton United F.C.
Whitton United F.C.
Whitton United F.C. is an English football club based in the Whitton area of Ipswich, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at the King George V Playing Fields....
, who play in the Ridgeons League. He left some time during 2008 and was replaced by number 2
Assistant Manager
An assistant manager is an employee of an organization with manager's authority. Examples of this position can be found in retail and other service businesses where the need to have more than one member of daily operations management is important....
Ronnie Mauge
Ronnie Mauge
Ronald Carlton "Ronnie" Mauge is an English former professional footballer, who played for Fulham, Bury, Manchester City, Plymouth Argyle, and Bristol Rovers. He also won caps for the Trinidad and Tobago national team.-Biography:...
who has also since moved on.
In November 2008 Fox returned to hometown Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
and is now running a restaurant/bar as well as becoming a coach at Suffolk College
University Campus Suffolk
University Campus Suffolk ' is an educational institution located in the county of Suffolk, United Kingdom that welcomed its first students in September 2007. Until then Suffolk was one of only three counties in England which did not have a University campus...
in partnership with Whitton United
Whitton United F.C.
Whitton United F.C. is an English football club based in the Whitton area of Ipswich, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at the King George V Playing Fields....
. As of April 2010, Fox was reported to be working as a personal trainer in Ipswich Harrier under 7s running club.