Matt Fry
{{short description|English association football player in defence (born 1990)}}
{{other uses|Matthew Fry (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matt Fry
| image = MFry.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Fry playing for West Ham United in 2009
| fullname = Matthew Ronald Fry{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=159}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|9|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = Longfield, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Gravesend & Northfleet
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2009
| youthclubs2 = West Ham United
| years1 = 2009–2012
| clubs1 = West Ham United
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2009–2010
| clubs2 = → Gillingham (loan)
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010
| clubs3 = → Charlton Athletic (loan)
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2010–2011
| clubs4 = → Charlton Athletic (loan)
| caps4 = 25
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2012
| clubs5 = Bradford City
| caps5 = 6
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2013
| clubs6 = Concord Rangers
| caps6 = ?
| goals6 = ?
| years7 = 2013–2014
| clubs7 = Dartford
| caps7 = 15
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = Concord Rangers
| caps8 = 7
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2014
| clubs9 = Chelmsford City
| caps9 = 1
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2014
| clubs10 = Eastleigh
| caps10 = 3
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2014–2015
| clubs11 = Concord Rangers
| caps11 = 30
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2015–2016
| clubs12 = Braintree Town
| caps12 = 27
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2016–2017
| clubs13 = York City
| caps13 = 21
| goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2018
| clubs14 = Herne Bay
| caps14 = ?
| goals14 = ?
| totalcaps = 146
| totalgoals = 3
| club-update = 16:45, 25 January 2022 (UTC)
}}
Matthew Ronald Fry (born 26 September 1990) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played for West Ham United, Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Bradford City, Concord Rangers, Dartford, Chelmsford City, Eastleigh Braintree Town, York City and Herne Bay.
Career
=Early career=
Fry was born in Longfield, Kent. He is a product of Gravesend & Northfleet's youth team.{{cite web |title=Ebbsfleet United Youth Teams |url=http://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=449&Itemid=241 |publisher=Ebbsfleet United F.C. |date=14 July 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724153650/http://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=449&Itemid=241 |archivedate=24 July 2011 |url-status = dead}} Aged eleven he joined West Ham United's youth team, and captained the under-18 team in the 2008–09 season, before signing his first professional contract in June 2009.{{cite web|title=Fry signs up |url=http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1701373,00.html |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=25 June 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628000429/http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C12562~1701373%2C00.html |archivedate=28 June 2009 |url-status = dead}}
He signed for League One club Gillingham on a one-month loan on 15 October 2009.{{cite news |title=Gillingham snap up Vernon and Fry |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/8306754.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2009 |accessdate=17 October 2009}} He made his debut on 17 October 2009, in a 2–0 away defeat against Milton Keynes Dons. In November 2009, his loan with Gillingham was extended for a further month,{{cite web|title=Fry extends loan deal |url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~1875127,00.html |publisher=Gillingham F.C. |date=13 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116012255/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10416~1875127%2C00.html |archivedate=16 November 2009 |url-status = dead}} and in December extended again for another month.{{cite web|url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~1900900,00.html |title=Fry agrees one month extension |publisher=Gillingham F.C. |accessdate=20 May 2010}}{{Dead link|date=July 2016}}{{cbignore}} Fry suffered a knee injury in Gillingham's away match against Exeter City on 28 December 2009, ruling him out of action for six weeks.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} On 7 January 2010, he returned to West Ham.{{cite web |title=Fry returns |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/fry-returns-20100107_2236884_1926030 |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=7 January 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111204809/http://www.whufc.com/articles/fry-returns-20100107_2236884_1926030 |archivedate=11 January 2010 |url-status = dead}}
On 25 March 2010, he signed for League One club Charlton Athletic until the end of the season,{{cite news |title=Charlton sign Nicky Forster, Matt Fry and Tony Warner |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/8588002.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 March 2010 |accessdate=3 July 2016}} but returned to West Ham without having played for Charlton due to a persisting knee problem suffered earlier in the year.{{cite web |title=Fry feeling good |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100520/fry-feeling-good_2236884_2055588 |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=20 May 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817160658/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100520/fry-feeling-good_2236884_2055588 |archivedate=17 August 2016 |url-status = dead}} On 5 August 2010, Fry again joined Charlton on loan, this time until January 2011.{{cite web |title=Fry joins Addicks |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100805/fry-joins-addicks_2236884_2111860 |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=5 August 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817132443/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100805/fry-joins-addicks_2236884_2111860 |archivedate=17 August 2016 |url-status = dead}} On 28 August 2010, Fry made his first appearance for Charlton and scored his first goal, in a 3–1 away defeat to Huddersfield Town. On 22 March 2011, Fry returned to West Ham having made 32 appearances, scoring one goal, for Charlton.{{cite web|title=Fry returns to Upton Park |url=http://www.cafctv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10267~2321672,00.html |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |date=22 March 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427040214/http://www.cafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10267~2321672%2C00.html |archivedate=27 April 2012 |url-status = dead}}
Fry had his contract cancelled by mutual consent with West Ham on 2 February 2012 allowing him to seek first-team football on a regular basis.{{cite web |title=Driver on the right road |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20120202/driver-on-the-right-road_2236884_2597592 |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=2 February 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817103613/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20120202/driver-on-the-right-road_2236884_2597592 |archivedate=17 August 2016 |url-status = dead}}
=Bradford City=
On 10 February 2012, Fry joined League Two club Bradford City on a free transfer.{{cite web|title=Fry signs up |url=http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2605966,00.html |publisher=Bradford City A.F.C. |date=10 February 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214101325/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10266~2605966%2C00.html |archivedate=14 February 2012 |url-status = dead}} He made his debut in a 1–1 draw at home to Port Vale on 14 February 2012, in which he played 79 minutes before being substituted.
=Concord Rangers=
After leaving Bradford, Fry played for Concord Rangers, helping them win promotion from the Isthmian League Premier Division to the Conference South in 2012–13 via the play-offs.{{cite news |title=Dartford sign former West Ham man Matt Fry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22951289 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2013 |accessdate=3 July 2016}} In May 2013, Fry played for Concord against Lowestoft Town in the play-off final at Crown Meadow, with Concord winning 2–1 to gain promotion.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Bailey |title=Heartbreak again as Lowestoft Town lose out to Concord Rangers |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/lowestoft-town/heartbreak-again-as-lowestoft-town-lose-out-to-concord-rangers-1-2182284 |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |location=Norwich |date=7 May 2013 |accessdate=30 January 2018}}
=Dartford, Concord, Braintree=
In June 2013, Fry signed for Dartford, but returned to Concord in March 2014 having made 15 appearances.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} In June 2015, he signed for Braintree Town.{{cite news |first=Luke |last=Lambert |title=Ex-Concord Rangers defender Matt Fry concedes Danny Cowley was a big factor in Braintree Town switch |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/13345920.Ex_Concord_Rangers_defender_Matt_Fry_concedes_Danny_Cowley_was_a_big_factor_in_Braintree_Town_switch/ |newspaper=The Echo |location=Basildon |date=22 June 2015 |accessdate=3 July 2016}}
=York City=
Fry signed for newly relegated National League club York City on 16 June 2016 on a two-year contract.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Martini |title=York City sign ex-Braintree Town defender Matt Fry |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14562757.York_City_sign_ex_Braintree_Town_defender_Matt_Fry/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=16 June 2016 |accessdate=3 July 2016}} His contract with York was cancelled by mutual consent on 26 September 2017 to retire from full-time football on medical advice.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Martini |title=York City defender Matt Fry's contract is cancelled |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15558392.York_City_defender_s_contract_is_cancelled/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=26 September 2017 |accessdate=26 September 2017}}
=Herne Bay=
Fry signed for Isthmian League South East Division club Herne Bay on 20 July 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/herne-bay/sport/bay-strengthen-defence-186508/ |title=Herne Bay add three central defenders to squad |first=Josh |last=Fordham |newspaper=KentOnline |publisher=KM Group |date=20 July 2018 |accessdate=12 March 2019}}
Career statistics
{{updated|26 September 2017}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=4|West Ham United
|2009–10{{soccerbase season|52536|2009|accessdate=3 July 2016}} |0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2010–11{{soccerbase season|52536|2010|accessdate=3 July 2016}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|52536|2011|accessdate=3 July 2016}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| Gillingham (loan)
|11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 13 | 0 | |||
| rowspan=3|Charlton Athletic (loan)
|League One |0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2010–11
|League One |25 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|Appearances in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!25 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
| Bradford City
|6 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Dartford
|2013–14{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/matt-fry/101163/ |title=M. Fry: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |accessdate=12 March 2019}} |15 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Concord Rangers
|7 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 7 | 0 | ||||
| Chelmsford City
|Conference South |1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Eastleigh
|Conference Premier |3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Concord Rangers
|Conference South |30 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||
| Braintree Town
|27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in National League play-offs}} | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
| York City
|National League |21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||
| colspan=3|Career total
!146 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 169 | 3 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Concord Rangers
- Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs: 2013
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.hernebayfootballclub.co.uk/teams/72027/player/matt-fry-2057556 Profile] at the Herne Bay F.C. website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fry, Matt}}
Category:People from Longfield
Category:Footballers from Kent
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players
Category:West Ham United F.C. players
Category:Gillingham F.C. players
Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Concord Rangers F.C. players
Category:Dartford F.C. players
Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players
Category:Eastleigh F.C. players
Category:Braintree Town F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:Herne Bay F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Isthmian League players