Tommy Fraser
Encyclopedia
Thomas Francis Peter "Tommy" Fraser (born 5 December 1987 in Brighton
) is a professional footballer, who is without a club having departed Barnet in November 2011. A central midfielder
, he can also play on the right wing.
Starting his career with hometown club Brighton & Hove Albion
, he was a semi-regular in the first team for three seasons. In June 2009, he signed with Port Vale
, where he was quickly made captain. He left the club in January 2011, and immediately joined Barnet
. He remained with the club London club for ten months.
and progressed through the youth ranks at League One side [Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], where he was awarded a professional contract in the summer of 2006. On 9 September 2006, Fraser made his debut for Brighton at The New Den
, coming off the bench; later in the game Fraser cleared off the line as Millwall
looked to have scored, but Fraser's actions saved the club's clean sheet as Brighton won the match 1–0.
Fraser started life on the wing, before later taking up a position in the centre of midfield, where the youngster was keen to transform himself into a goalscorer. At times he was also used as a defender, a role in which he earned praise off his teammate Matt Richards in February 2008, before he was offered a one year contract two months later.
After 102 appearances and 3 goals for the "Seagulls", it was announced on 12 May 2009 that Fraser would be leaving Brighton after the expiration of his contract at the end of June 2009. He found a new club before this fate however, leaving for Port Vale
on a free transfer on 15 June 2009, linking up with former manager Micky Adams
for the 2009–10
season. He was appointed as club captain, after impressing in the pre-season. At twenty one years of age, and new to the club, his appointment came as a surprise to some, especially with more senior options in Sam Stockley
, Marc Richards
and Gareth Owen. However, Adams had faith in the young midfielder's vocal abilities and general leadership qualities. Putting in solid performances in Vale's unbeaten start to the season, he took to the field despite still suffering with an ankle injury. His first goal for the club seemed to come in a 4–0 home win over Grimsby Town
on 5 September. However after the match Marc Richards
claimed the last touch and therefore took the credit for the goal. Fraser seemed to attract violence; on 25 August, Sheffield Wednesday
's Francis Jeffers
was sent off for head-butting Fraser, two weeks later Fraser and Aldershot Town
captain John Halls
almost came to blows before the match had even begun. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams
saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat. He remained club captain and a first team regular though, striking up a midfield pairing with Anthony Griffith
, who he also shared a house with. His performances as captain earned him public praise from assistant manager Geoff Horsfield
, though the fans were critical at times of his inconsistency. He found himself the new focus of disgruntled supporters in early 2010, following Danny Glover
's demotion to the reserves, and Marc Richards
' rising goal tally. Fraser vowed to ignore the booing. He also retained the captain's armband for the next season, and vowed "to be more mature both on and off the pitch" in order to be a better captain.
At the start of the 2010–11
season, Fraser set the club a goal of promotion, saying that "I won't be happy until I've achieved promotion with Port Vale". The strong performances of Anthony Griffith and Gary Roberts
left only an unfamiliar wide role for Fraser, and a minority of fans became dissatisfied with his performances on the wing and again began booing the young captain. Micky Adams left the club in December 2010, and was replaced by Jim Gannon
. Two weeks into Gannon's reign Fraser left the club by mutual consent so as to find first team football, preferring this option to a loan deal. He then signed with Barnet
on a deal lasting two and a half years. Signed by caretaker manager Paul Fairclough
, he played under Martin Allen
and then another caretaker manager, Giuliano Grazioli
, within the space of a few months. He played a total of fifteen games for the "Bees" in what remained of the 2010–11
campaign, as the club retained their Football League
status with a final day 1–0 win over former club Port Vale at Underhill
; Fraser was a stoppage time substitute in the game.
New manager Lawrie Sanchez
picked Fraser for just six games in 2011–12
, the last of which was a 4–0 defeat to Swindon Town
on 24 September. Two months later Fraser left the club by mutual consent. He returned to Vale Park
to train under Micky Adams
, though was not expected to be offered a contract at Port Vale.
member "Mad" Frankie Fraser
. He has said: "I couldn't tell you anything he's done and I've never read a book about it. I'm not really interested – he's just my grandad as far as I'm concerned." Tabloid paper The Sun reported that when asked by a local Brighton-based journalist if his granddad ever attended his games, Fraser replied: "No, but he reads your reports and he was unhappy you only gave me six out of 10 last week." It was said that Fraser was never rated less than 7/10 by the local paper again.
Growing up in Brighton, he attended Varndean School and Varndean College
. He is an Arsenal
fan.
|2006–07||Brighton & Hove Albion
||League One
||27||1||3||0||1||0||35||1
|-
|2007–08||Brighton & Hove Albion
||League One
||24||0||4||0||1||0||32||0
|-
|2008–09||Brighton & Hove Albion
||League One
||27||1||2||1||2||0||35||2
|-
|2009–10
||Port Vale
||League Two
||38||2||1||0||3||0||44||2
|-
|2010–11
||Port Vale
||League Two
||12||0||4||0||2||0||20||0
|-
|2010–11
||Barnet
||League Two
||15||0||0||0||0||0||15||0
|-
|2011–12
||Barnet
||League Two
||5||0||0||0||1||0||6||0
|-
148||4||14||1||10||0||187||5
148||4||14||1||10||0||187||5
Notes:
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
) is a professional footballer, who is without a club having departed Barnet in November 2011. A central midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he can also play on the right wing.
Starting his career with hometown club Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, he was a semi-regular in the first team for three seasons. In June 2009, he signed with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, where he was quickly made captain. He left the club in January 2011, and immediately joined Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
. He remained with the club London club for ten months.
Playing career
Fraser was born in BrightonBrighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
and progressed through the youth ranks at League One side [Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], where he was awarded a professional contract in the summer of 2006. On 9 September 2006, Fraser made his debut for Brighton at The New Den
The Den
*Football stadiums:**The Den, formerly known as The New Den and the current home of Millwall FC, located in Bermondsey, London, SE16**The Den , a football stadium once the home of Millwall FC, located in New Cross, London, SE14...
, coming off the bench; later in the game Fraser cleared off the line as Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
looked to have scored, but Fraser's actions saved the club's clean sheet as Brighton won the match 1–0.
Fraser started life on the wing, before later taking up a position in the centre of midfield, where the youngster was keen to transform himself into a goalscorer. At times he was also used as a defender, a role in which he earned praise off his teammate Matt Richards in February 2008, before he was offered a one year contract two months later.
After 102 appearances and 3 goals for the "Seagulls", it was announced on 12 May 2009 that Fraser would be leaving Brighton after the expiration of his contract at the end of June 2009. He found a new club before this fate however, leaving for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
on a free transfer on 15 June 2009, linking up with former manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
for the 2009–10
2009–10 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
season. He was appointed as club captain, after impressing in the pre-season. At twenty one years of age, and new to the club, his appointment came as a surprise to some, especially with more senior options in Sam Stockley
Sam Stockley
Samuel Joshua "Sam" Stockley is an English footballer currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division....
, Marc Richards
Marc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
and Gareth Owen. However, Adams had faith in the young midfielder's vocal abilities and general leadership qualities. Putting in solid performances in Vale's unbeaten start to the season, he took to the field despite still suffering with an ankle injury. His first goal for the club seemed to come in a 4–0 home win over 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...
on 5 September. However after the match Marc Richards
Marc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
claimed the last touch and therefore took the credit for the goal. Fraser seemed to attract violence; on 25 August, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
's Francis Jeffers
Francis Jeffers
Francis Jeffers is an English football striker who currently plays for Newcastle United Jets in the A-League. In his career Jeffers has played for Barclays Premier League teams Everton and Arsenal...
was sent off for head-butting Fraser, two weeks later Fraser and 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...
captain John Halls
John Halls
John Halls is an English footballer who plays for Wycombe Wanderers. He is primarily a right-sided full back but is also capable of playing in midfield and other defensive positions.-Arsenal:...
almost came to blows before the match had even begun. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat. He remained club captain and a first team regular though, striking up a midfield pairing with Anthony Griffith
Anthony Griffith
Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team...
, who he also shared a house with. His performances as captain earned him public praise from assistant manager Geoff Horsfield
Geoff Horsfield
Geoffrey Malcolm "Geoff" Horsfield is an English former professional footballer, now football coach. He made more than 300 appearances in the Football League playing as a striker. He is now a coach at Port Vale....
, though the fans were critical at times of his inconsistency. He found himself the new focus of disgruntled supporters in early 2010, following Danny Glover
Danny Glover (footballer)
Daniel "Danny" Glover is an English football striker who plays for Conference North club Nuneaton Town....
's demotion to the reserves, and Marc Richards
Marc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
' rising goal tally. Fraser vowed to ignore the booing. He also retained the captain's armband for the next season, and vowed "to be more mature both on and off the pitch" in order to be a better captain.
At the start of the 2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
season, Fraser set the club a goal of promotion, saying that "I won't be happy until I've achieved promotion with Port Vale". The strong performances of Anthony Griffith and Gary Roberts
Gary Roberts (footballer born 1987)
Gary Steven Roberts is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills...
left only an unfamiliar wide role for Fraser, and a minority of fans became dissatisfied with his performances on the wing and again began booing the young captain. Micky Adams left the club in December 2010, and was replaced by Jim Gannon
Jim Gannon
James Paul "Jim" Gannon is a former footballer and football manager, who is now Director of football and manager of Conference National team Stockport County...
. Two weeks into Gannon's reign Fraser left the club by mutual consent so as to find first team football, preferring this option to a loan deal. He then signed with Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
on a deal lasting two and a half years. Signed by caretaker manager Paul Fairclough
Paul Fairclough
Paul Fairclough is the current manager of the England C national football team, formerly known as the National Game XI, England non-League team or the England semi-pro team, and in charge of youth development at Barnet having been caretaker for two months in 2011.As a player he made five...
, he played under Martin Allen
Martin Allen
Martin James Allen is a former football player and current manager of Notts County. He played more than 100 games for each Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United before finishing his playing career with Portsmouth and Southend United. Five years later, he took his first job in management, at...
and then another caretaker manager, Giuliano Grazioli
Giuliano Grazioli
Giuliano Stephano Grazioli is a former English footballer of Italian descent who played as a striker from 1995 until 2009, notably for Barnet where he is currently employed as Assistant Manager....
, within the space of a few months. He played a total of fifteen games for the "Bees" in what remained of the 2010–11
2010–11 Barnet F.C. season
This article documents the 2010–11 season for North London football club Barnet.-July:-August:-September:-October:-November:-December:-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-League table:...
campaign, as the club retained their Football 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...
status with a final day 1–0 win over former club Port Vale at Underhill
Underhill Stadium
Underhill is the home of Barnet F.C. It is situated in Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet and has a capacity of 6,200. The stadium is famous for its slope from the North to South end. It is also used for Arsenal reserve games....
; Fraser was a stoppage time substitute in the game.
New manager Lawrie Sanchez
Lawrie Sanchez
Lawrence Philip "Lawrie" Sanchez is a former Northern Irish football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet...
picked Fraser for just six games in 2011–12
2011–12 Barnet F.C. season
- League table :- Pre-season friendlies :- npower League Two :- FA Cup with Budweiser :- Carling Cup :- Johnstone's Paint Trophy :-Appearances and goals:-Top scorers:-Disciplinary record:...
, the last of which was a 4–0 defeat to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on 24 September. Two months later Fraser left the club by mutual consent. He returned to Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
to train under Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
, though was not expected to be offered a contract at Port Vale.
Personal life
Fraser is the grandson of former Richardson GangThe Richardson Gang
The Richardson Gang was a 1960s group of criminals in South London, England. Less well remembered than their rivals the Krays, they nevertheless had a reputation at their peak as being some of London's most infamous and sadistic gangsters...
member "Mad" Frankie Fraser
Frankie Fraser
Francis Davidson Fraser is a former British criminal and gang member who spent 42 years in prison for numerous violent offences.-Early life:...
. He has said: "I couldn't tell you anything he's done and I've never read a book about it. I'm not really interested – he's just my grandad as far as I'm concerned." Tabloid paper The Sun reported that when asked by a local Brighton-based journalist if his granddad ever attended his games, Fraser replied: "No, but he reads your reports and he was unhappy you only gave me six out of 10 last week." It was said that Fraser was never rated less than 7/10 by the local paper again.
Growing up in Brighton, he attended Varndean School and Varndean College
Varndean College
Varndean College is a sixth form college located in Brighton & Hove that serves the needs of sixth form students and adults.-History:The college was founded in 1884 in York Place, Brighton as a boys' Secondary School and moved to its current site overlooking the city and the sea in 1932, later...
. He is an Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
fan.
Statistics
|-|2006–07||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||27||1||3||0||1||0||35||1
|-
|2007–08||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||24||0||4||0||1||0||32||0
|-
|2008–09||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||27||1||2||1||2||0||35||2
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||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....
||38||2||1||0||3||0||44||2
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||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....
||12||0||4||0||2||0||20||0
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Barnet F.C. season
This article documents the 2010–11 season for North London football club Barnet.-July:-August:-September:-October:-November:-December:-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-League table:...
||Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
||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....
||15||0||0||0||0||0||15||0
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Barnet F.C. season
- League table :- Pre-season friendlies :- npower League Two :- FA Cup with Budweiser :- Carling Cup :- Johnstone's Paint Trophy :-Appearances and goals:-Top scorers:-Disciplinary record:...
||Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
||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....
||5||0||0||0||1||0||6||0
|-
148||4||14||1||10||0||187||5
148||4||14||1||10||0||187||5
Notes:
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe 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...
results included in totals.