Steve Fletcher
{{short description|English footballer (born 1972)}}
{{other people||Steven Fletcher (disambiguation){{!}}Steven Fletcher}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Steve Fletcher
| image = Steve Fletcher.png
| caption = Fletcher in 2024
| full_name = Steven Mark Fletcher{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08 |year=2007 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-246-3 |page=142}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|07|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = Hartlepool, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Headline |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6231-8 |page=438}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = AFC Bournemouth (coach)
| clubnumber =
| years1 = 1990–1992
| clubs1 = Hartlepool United
| caps1 = 32
| goals1 = 4
| years2 = 1992–2007
| clubs2 = AFC Bournemouth
| caps2 = 493
| goals2 = 88
| years3 = 2007–2008
| clubs3 = Chesterfield
| caps3 = 38
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2008–2009
| clubs4 = Crawley Town
| caps4 = 21
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2009–2013
| clubs5 = AFC Bournemouth
| caps5 = 135
| goals5 = 15
| years6 = 2012
| clubs6 = → Plymouth Argyle (loan)
| caps6 = 6
| goals6 = 0
| totalcaps = 725
| totalgoals = 114
}}
Steven Mark Fletcher (born 26 July 1972) is an English retired footballer who played as a forward for AFC Bournemouth, where he holds the club record for appearances and is currently an assistant manager for the Premier League side.
Fletcher began his career at Hartlepool United and made his first team debut in 1990. Two years later, he moved to AFC Bournemouth, where he would play for the next 15 seasons, scoring 88 league goals in 493 appearances. Fletcher joined Chesterfield in 2007 and spent one season with the club before moving to Crawley Town. Fletcher returned to Bournemouth in 2009 and became the club's assistant manager in 2011. Having resigned from that position eleven months later, he went on to have his first loan spell, spending a month with Plymouth Argyle. Fletcher has been described as a target man, due to his large figure and heading ability.
Career
Fletcher began his career at Hartlepool United before leaving for AFC Bournemouth in 1992 for £30,000. He spent 15 years with Bournemouth, recording more than 600 appearance caps and 100 goals. He holds the Bournemouth club record for most league appearances, having played 514 league matches for the club. Fletcher was released by Bournemouth, then managed by Kevin Bond, at the end of the 2006–07 season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/6635053.stm|title=Bournemouth release nine players|work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2007 |access-date=23 April 2009}} He subsequently joined recently relegated League Two side Chesterfield.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/6751535.stm|title=Spireites move to sign Fletcher|work=BBC Sport|date=14 June 2007|access-date=23 April 2009}} At the end of the 2007–08 season, Fletcher turned down a contract renewal with Chesterfield due to family commitments.{{cite web|title=Fletch On His Way|url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~1305739,00.html|publisher=Chesterfield F.C|access-date=22 March 2012|date=11 June 2008}}
He joined Crawley Town on a free transfer on 23 May 2008,{{cite news|last=Gurney|first=Tom|title=Reds snap up Fletcher and Rents|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/crawleynews/2293266.Reds_snap_up_Fletcher_and_Rents/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=The Argus|date=23 May 2008}} signing an initial one-year contract.{{cite web|title=Crawley beat Terras to Fletcher|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crawley_town/7416504.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=23 May 2008}} Eight months later, Fletcher returned to Bournemouth on a contract until the end of the 2008–09 campaign with an option to extend it for another season.{{cite news|title=Fletcher Seals Deal|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/4070855.FLETCHER_SEALS_DEAL/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=23 January 2009}}{{cite web|title=Fletcher seals Cherries return|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/7845944.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=22 January 2009}} He made his 500th league appearance for the club on 24 February in a 1–0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge.{{cite web|title=Fletcher set for Cherries record|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/7907677.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=24 February 2009}}{{cite web|title=Dag & Red 0–1 Bournemouth|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7899762.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=24 February 2009}} In April 2010, Bournemouth renamed the North Stand at Dean Court after him in recognition of his achievements with the club.{{cite news|last=Wadley|first=Ian|title=Cherries: Fletch so proud of stand honour|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/6242934.Cherries__Fletch_so_proud_of_stand_honour/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=1 April 2010}}{{cite web|title=For All The Steve Fletcher Stand Supporters|url=http://www.afcb.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10324~2014760,00.html|publisher=AFC Bournemouth|access-date=22 March 2012|date=4 April 2010}} Two months later, Fletcher signed a one-year contract extension after helping the club win promotion to League One.{{cite web|title=Robinson, Pearce and Fletcher extend Bournemouth deals|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/8753829.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=22 June 2010}}
Fletcher was appointed assistant manager to Lee Bradbury in January 2011 after Eddie Howe left the club to manage Burnley, signing a {{frac|2|1|2}}-year contract.{{cite news|last=Meldrum|first=Neil|title=Cherries: Bradbury confirmed as Cherries boss|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/8819230.Cherries__Bradbury_confirmed_as_Cherries_boss/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=28 January 2011}}{{cite web|title=Bournemouth confirm Lee Bradbury as manager|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/9379366.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=28 January 2011}} He scored his 100th league goal for Bournemouth in a 3–3 draw at Peterborough United on 1 April 2011 and said that helping the club win promotion to the Championship would be a perfect milestone for him.{{cite news|last=Perrett|first=Neil|title=Cherries' Fletcher: Leading the team out in the Championship would complete my fairytale|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/8953250.Cherries__Fletcher__Leading_the_team_out_in_the_Championship_would_complete_my_fairytale/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=5 April 2011}} Bournemouth qualified for the play-offs, but were eliminated by Huddersfield Town on penalties.{{cite news|last=Meldrum|first=Neil|title=Cherries: Fletcher's pride despite penalties agony|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/9035366.Cherries__Fletcher_s_pride_despite_penalties_agony/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=19 May 2011}} Fletcher resigned from his position as assistant manager in November, saying that it would be more beneficial for the team and the club if he focused on playing for the remainder of his contract.{{cite web|title=Steve Fletcher quits as Bournemouth assistant manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15653784|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=9 November 2011}}
Having been restricted to brief substitute appearances since resigning as Bradbury's assistant, the manager said that he would consider allowing Fletcher to join another club on loan in January 2012, but insisted he was still part of his plans.{{cite news|last=Perrett|first=Neil|title=Cherries: Fletcher loan move is an option|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/9479091.Cherries__Fletcher_loan_move_is_an_option/|access-date=22 March 2012|newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo|date=19 January 2012}} Two months later, he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the season, reuniting him with former teammate Carl Fletcher, who was now Plymouth's manager.{{cite web|title=Fletchers Reunited|url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2687860,00.html|publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C|access-date=22 March 2012|date=22 March 2012}}{{cite web|title=Bournemouth's Steve Fletcher joins Plymouth on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17473288|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2012|date=22 March 2012}} "Me and Carl are good friends and go back years. He's been in touch and trying to get me to Plymouth for a short period of time, it had come to deadline day and I needed to make a decision," said Fletcher. "It's the only club I would contemplate going to because Carl is a close friend, if it hadn't been him I wouldn't have even thought about it."{{cite web|title=Fletch joins Plymouth survival bid|url=http://www.afcb.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10324~2688560,00.html|publisher=AFC Bournemouth|access-date=22 March 2012|date=22 March 2012}}
Fletcher made his debut in a 1–0 win against Bradford City on 31 March,{{cite web|title=Plymouth 1–0 Bradford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17497323|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 April 2012|date=31 March 2012}} and appeared in five more matches, including two in the starting eleven,{{cite news|title=Fletcher is recalled by Bournemouth|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Fletcher-recalled-Bournemouth/story-15958609-detail/story.html|access-date=30 April 2012|newspaper=The Herald|date=30 April 2012}} as the club secured their future in League Two after a turbulent season.{{cite news|title=Plymouth celebrates as Argyle beat relegation threat|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Plymouth-celebrates-Argyle-beat-relegation-threat/story-15889943-detail/story.html|access-date=30 April 2012|newspaper=The Herald|date=23 April 2012}} Following Argyle's 2–2 draw at Morecambe, Fletcher was recalled by Bournemouth caretaker manager Paul Groves ahead of the final league match of the campaign.{{cite web|title=Big Fletch Goes Home|url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2754598,00.html|publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C|access-date=30 April 2012|date=30 April 2012}}
At the end of the 2012–13 season, Fletcher announced his retirement from playing; with Bournemouth in the Championship he felt the time was right to hang up his boots and seek another role within the club.{{cite web|last1=Somers|first1=Kelly|title=Steve Fletcher: A one club man|url=http://www.afcb.co.uk/news/article/2013-05-02-steve-fletcher-a-one-club-man-806605.aspx|publisher=AFC Bournemouth|access-date=28 May 2016|date=3 May 2013}}{{cite web|title=Steve Fletcher: AFC Bournemouth legend announces retirement|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22396515|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 May 2016|date=3 May 2013}}
Shortly after his playing career ended, it was revealed that newly promoted Conference South side Gosport Borough had enquired about Fletcher's availability; however, nothing had come of this move as the club could not afford to sign him.{{cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/pike-looks-to-bolster-boro-squad-22518/#_|title=Pike Looks to Bolster Boro Squad|date=19 May 2013|publisher=Pitchero Non League|access-date=30 May 2016}}
In June 2013 it was announced Fletcher would stay at Bournemouth as a scout.{{cite news|title=Steve Fletcher: Bournemouth legend takes new scouting role|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23079757|access-date=29 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=27 June 2013}}
In March 2014, Fletcher was the recipient of the Sir Tom Finney Award by the Football League.
After his retirement, Fletcher joined Bournemouth as a scout. He later moved into the role of assistant coach, and also works for the club as an ambassador.{{Cite web |title=Steve Fletcher |work=AFC Bournemouth |access-date=23 January 2019 |url= https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams/staff-profiles/steve-fletcher}}
Personal life
His grandfather, Jack Howe, played in the Football League for several clubs and was capped three times by the England national team.{{cite news|title=Saturday Spotlight: Johnson joins the England Euro squad full of Hope|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2005/06/04/The+North+East+Archive/6949878.Saturday_Spotlight__Johnson_joins_the_England_Euro_squad_full_of_Hope/|access-date=8 September 2009|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=4 June 2005}}
Career statistics
{{Updated|10 December 2012.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=2554|title=Steve Fletcher|work=Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm|access-date=10 December 2012}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Club
!rowspan="2"|Season ! colspan="3" |League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|FL Trophy/ !colspan="2"|Play Offs !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| rowspan="3" |Hartlepool United | Fourth Division | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 1991–92 | Third Division | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 4 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!32 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 6 | ||
| rowspan="16" |AFC Bournemouth | rowspan="10" |Division Two | 31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 4 |
| 1993–94 | 36 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 7 | |
| 1994–95 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 6 | |
| 1995–96 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1996–97 | 35 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 8 | |
| 1997–98 | 42 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 14 | |
| 1998–99 | 39 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 11 | |
| 1999–00 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 9 | |
| 2000–01 | 45 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 9 | |
| 2001–02 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2002–03 | Division Three | 35 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 49 | 9 |
| 2003–04 | Division Two | 41 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 9 |
| 2004–05 | rowspan="3"|League One | 36 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 10 |
| 2005–06 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 4 | |
| 2006–07 | 41 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 4 | |
| colspan="2" |Total
!493 | 88 | 33 | 9 | 30 | 4 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 580 | 106 | ||
| Chesterfield | League Two | 38 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 5 |
| Crawley Town | Conference National | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 |
| rowspan="5" |AFC Bournemouth | rowspan="2" |League Two | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 |
| 2009–10 | 45 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 4 | |
| 2010–11 | rowspan="2"|League One | 38 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 7 |
| 2011–12 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
| colspan="2" |Total
!124 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 134 | 16 | ||
| rowspan="1" |Plymouth Argyle (loan) | rowspan="1" |League Two | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| rowspan="1" |AFC Bournemouth | rowspan="1" |League One | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!725||114||43||10||34||5||30||6||4||1||836||136 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, Steve}}
Category:Footballers from Hartlepool
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:AFC Bournemouth players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Crawley Town F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players