Tommy Fraser
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1987)}}
{{About||the American football player and coach|Tommie Frazier|people with a similar name|Thomas Fraser (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tommy Fraser
| image = Tomfraser.JPG
| caption = Fraser as Port Vale captain (September 2010).
| fullname = Thomas Francis Peter Fraser{{Hugman|23096|accessdate=9 March 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|12|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Brighton, England
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 2004–2006 | youthclubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| years1 = 2006–2009 | clubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps1 = 78 | goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2006 | clubs2 = → Bognor Regis Town (loan) | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2009–2011 | clubs3 = Port Vale | caps3 = 50 | goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2011 | clubs4 = Barnet | caps4 = 20 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2011–2013 | clubs5 = Whitehawk | caps5 = | goals5 =
| years6 = 2013 | clubs6 = Melbourne Knights FC | caps6 = | goals6 =
| years7 = 2013–2014 | clubs7 = Whitehawk | caps7 = 38 | goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2014 | clubs8 = Ebbsfleet United | caps8 = 5 | goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2014 | clubs9 = Peacehaven & Telscombe | caps9 = | goals9 =
| years10 = 2014–2015 | clubs10= Lewes | caps10= 9 | goals10= 0
| years11 = 2015–2016 | clubs11 = Burgess Hill Town | caps11= 4 | goals11= 0
| years12 = 2016 | clubs12 = Whitehawk | caps12= 8 | goals12= 0
| years13 = 2016 | clubs13 = Burgess Hill Town | caps13= 0 | goals13= 0
| years14 = 2016 | clubs14 = Bognor Regis Town | caps14= 2 | goals14= 0
| totalcaps = 215| totalgoals = 7
}}
Thomas Francis Peter Fraser (born 5 December 1987) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder.
Starting his career with hometown club Brighton & Hove Albion, Fraser was youth team captain and then 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, before joining Whitehawk in December 2011. Fraser emigrated to Australia in February 2013 before returning to Whitehawk in the summer. He then had brief spells at Ebbsfleet United, Peacehaven & Telscombe, Lewes and Burgess Hill Town (over two spells), Whitehawk again and Bognor Regis Town.
Early life
File:Tommy Fraser1.JPG as Port Vale captain.]]
Fraser's father, Frankie, was a youth team player at Brighton & Hove Albion before a knee injury ended his professional career; he went on to play for Whitehawk.Sussex County League Challenge Cup final Programme, Southwick v Whitehawk, 1 April 1983 He is also the grandson of former Richardson Gang member "Mad" Frankie Fraser. He 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Mad-Frankie-Yes-s-grandad/article-1132578-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: "Mad" Frankie? Yes, he's my grandad|date=2 July 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=2 July 2009}} Growing up in Brighton, Fraser attended Varndean School and Varndean College. He is an Arsenal fan.
Career
=Brighton & Hove Albion=
Fraser was born in Brighton and progressed through the youth ranks at League One side Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was awarded a professional contract in the summer of 2006. In March 2006, Fraser was sent on loan to Conference South side Bognor Regis Town, where he made only one appearance.{{cite web|url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=10322|title=Thomas Fraser profile|work=SoccerFactsUK|accessdate=16 April 2014}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReportOld/0,,10433~33019,00.html|title=Millwall 0-1 Brighton|date=9 September 2006|work=Seagulls.co.uk|accessdate=25 May 2008}}
Fraser started life on the wing,{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Fraser-happy-wing-Valiants/article-2609079-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Captain Tommy Fraser happy to wing it for Valiants|date=6 September 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=6 September 2010}} before later taking up a position in the centre of midfield.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7275455.stm|title=Fraser aiming for midfield goals |date=3 March 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 June 2009}} At times he was also used as a defender, a role in which he earned praise off his teammate Matt Richards in February 2008,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7265711.stm|title=Richards praises Seagulls defence |date=27 February 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 June 2009}} before he was offered a one-year contract two months later.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7342837.stm| title=Elphick and Fraser sign new deals |date=11 April 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 June 2009}} After 102 appearances and 3 goals for the "Seagulls", Fraser left Brighton after the expiration of his contract in June 2009.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8046243.stm|title=Fourteen let go in Brighton cull|date=12 May 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 June 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1655646,00.html|title=New Deals for Three|date=12 May 2009|work=Seagulls World|accessdate=12 May 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515082511/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10433~1655646%2C00.html|archivedate=15 May 2009}}
=Port Vale=
Fraser signed with Port Vale on a free transfer in June 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Breaking-News-Vale-sign-Tommy-Fraser/article-1077218-detail/article.html|title=Breaking News: Vale sign Tommy Fraser|date=15 June 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=15 June 2009}} linking up with former manager Micky Adams for the 2009–10 season.{{cite web |url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8101242.stm|title=Midfielder Fraser joins Port Vale |date=15 June 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 June 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1692970,00.html|title=New Signing |date=15 June 2009|work=port-vale.co.uk|accessdate=15 June 2009}} He was appointed as club captain, after impressing in the pre-season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8183380.stm|title=Fraser named new Valiants captain |date=4 August 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=4 August 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Fraser-named-new-captain/article-1223279-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Fraser named new captain|date=4 August 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=4 August 2009}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Fraser-delighted-captaincy-honour/article-1224699-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Fraser delighted with captaincy honour|date=5 August 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=5 August 2009}} However, Adams had faith in the young midfielder's vocal abilities and general leadership qualities.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Fraser-confident-success/article-1224704-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Fraser confident of success|date=5 August 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=5 August 2009}} Putting in solid performances in Vale's unbeaten start to the season, he took to the field despite still suffering with an ankle injury.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8205854.stm|title=Vale captain playing through pain |date=18 August 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 August 2009}} His first goal for the club seemed to come in a 4–0 home win over Grimsby Town on 5 September.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8234041.stm|title=Port Vale 4 - 0 Grimsby|date=5 September 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 September 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-4-Grimsby-Town-0/article-1313858-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale 4, Grimsby Town 0|date=5 September 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=5 September 2009}} However, after the match Marc Richards claimed the last touch and therefore took the credit for the goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1788916,00.html|title=Fraser: It's Richo's Goal|date=5 September 2009|work=port-vale.co.uk|accessdate=7 September 2009}} Fraser seemed to attract violence; on 25 August, Sheffield Wednesday's Francis Jeffers was sent off for head-butting Fraser,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8205222.stm|title= Port Vale 2 - 0 Sheff Wed|date=25 August 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 September 2009}} two weeks later Fraser and Aldershot Town captain John Halls almost came to blows before the match had even begun.{{cite web|url=http://www.portvale.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=170098|title=Fraser Shows His Fighting Spirit|work=portvale.vitalfootball.co.uk|accessdate=28 September 2009}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm|title=Adams puts Vale squad up for sale |date=27 September 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=27 September 2009}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Griffith-happy-midfield-marriage/article-1798759-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Griffith happy with midfield marriage|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=3 February 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=3 February 2010}} His performances as captain earned him public praise from assistant manager Geoff Horsfield,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8516981.stm|title=Geoff Horsfield praises Port Vale captain Tommy Fraser |date=16 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=16 February 2010}} though the fans were critical at times of his inconsistency.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Adams-underfire-skipper/article-1856970-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Adams backs his underfire skipper|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=23 February 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=23 February 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Critics-don-t-bother-Fraser/article-1886216-detail/article.html#StartComments|title=Port Vale: Critics don't bother Fraser|date=5 March 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=5 March 2010}} He also retained the captain's armband for the next season,{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Adams-keeps-faith-Fraser/article-2206471-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Boss Adams keeps faith with captain Fraser|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=24 May 2010|accessdate=24 May 2010}} and vowed "to be more mature both on and off the pitch" to be a better captain.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Fraser-lots-learn-Vale-skipper/article-2379019-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Tommy Fraser he still has lots to learn as Vale skipper|last=Owen|first=Jon|date=5 July 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=5 July 2010}}
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".{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-failures-insists-skipper-Fraser/article-2482794-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: No more failures, insists skipper Fraser|date=6 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=6 August 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Lay-Tommy-says-Horsfield/article-2771742-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Lay off Tommy Fraser, says assistant boss Geoff Horsfield|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=19 October 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=19 October 2010}} 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 to find first-team football, preferring this option to a loan deal.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9366695.stm|title=Midfielder Tommy Fraser leaves Port Vale|date=19 January 2011|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=19 January 2011}}
=Barnet=
Fraser signed with Barnet on a deal lasting two and a half years.{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2271481,00.html|title=Midfielder on the Way Back to Vale Park|date=20 January 2011|work=port-vale.co.uk|accessdate=20 January 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnet/9366695.stm|title=Barnet snap up ex-Port Vale midfielder Tommy Fraser|date=20 January 2011|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=20 January 2011}} 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.{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|title=Barnet 1 - 0 Port Vale|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13247294.stm|accessdate=29 November 2011|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2011}} 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.{{cite news|title=Fraser Departs the Bees|url=http://www.barnetfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10431~2527323,00.html|accessdate=29 November 2011|newspaper=barnetfc.com|date=25 November 2011}} He returned to Vale Park to train under Micky Adams, though was not expected to be offered a contract at Port Vale.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Former skipper Fraser back at Vale Park|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-skipper-Fraser-Vale-Park/story-13987394-detail/story.html|accessdate=29 November 2011|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=29 November 2011}}
=Non-League=
Fraser joined Whitehawk of the Isthmian League in December 2011, where he played alongside his younger brother James.{{cite web|title=Team News|url=http://www.whitehawkfc.co.uk/team%20news.htm|work=whitehawkfc.co.uk|accessdate=27 December 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230093941/http://www.whitehawkfc.co.uk/team%20news.htm|archivedate=30 December 2011}} Whitehawk won the Isthmian League Division One South title in 2011–12. He made 31 appearances in the 2012–13 season for Darren Freeman's "Hawks", and was sent off in his final game in a 3–1 defeat to Harrow Borough at the Earlsmead Stadium on 23 February.{{cite web|title=Profile|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/whitehawk/s/players-coaches-71060.html?player_id=695141|work=pitchero.com|accessdate=10 March 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904062207/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/whitehawk/s/players-coaches-71060.html?player_id=695141|archivedate=4 September 2012}}
He left England to live in Australia in March 2013,{{cite web|last=Lance|first=Mike|title=-1 reverse at Harrow Borough|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/whitehawk/news/3-1-reverse-at-harrow-borough-868186.html|work=pitchero.com|accessdate=10 March 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233704/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/whitehawk/news/3-1-reverse-at-harrow-borough-868186.html|archivedate=2 December 2013}} signing for National Premier Leagues Victoria club Melbourne Knights FC.{{cite web | last=Griggs | first=Howard | title=Hawks stay cool in quest to replace Tommy | website=The Argus | date=2013-03-02 | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/football/nonleague/10263177.Hawks_stay_cool_in_quest_to_replace_Tommy/ | access-date=2024-08-02}} He soon returned to England however, and re-signed with Whitehawk in July 2013.{{cite news|last=Griggs|first=Howard|title=Fraser returns to Whitehawk|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/10519667.Fraser_returns_to_Whitehawk/|accessdate=24 November 2013|work=The Argus|location=Melbourne|date=2 July 2013}} He played 38 Conference South games in the 2013–14 season, helping the club to finish one point above the relegation zone.
Fraser joined Steve Brown's Ebbsfleet United, also of the Conference South, in May 2014.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Ed|title=Friday feast as Fleet sign five more|url=http://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/home/friday-feast-as-fleet-sign-five-more/|work=ebbsfleetunited.co.uk|accessdate=31 May 2014}} He signed with Isthmian League club Peacehaven & Telscombe in September 2014.{{cite web|title=Peacehaven welcome two experienced ex Seagulls to their squad...|url=http://www.peacehavenfc.co.uk/news/squad-update-1302037.html|website=peacehavenfc.co.uk|accessdate=7 October 2014}} He moved on to Lewes three months later.{{cite web|title=Rooks swoop for Tommy|url=http://www.lewesfc.com/rooks-swoop-for-tommy/|website=lewesfc.com|accessdate=11 March 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095135/http://www.lewesfc.com/rooks-swoop-for-tommy/|archivedate=2 April 2015}}
After leaving Lewes in February 2015, Fraser signed for newly promoted Isthmian League Premier Division side Burgess Hill Town in June 2015.{{cite web|title=Hillians Make First Two Signings|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/hillians-make-first-two-signings-40235/|website=nonleague.pitchero.com|date=21 June 2015|accessdate=21 June 2015}} He signed with Whitehawk for a third time in March 2016.{{cite web|title=Fraser Rejoins The Hawks|url=http://whitehawkfc.com/fraser-rejoins-the-hawks/|website=whitehawkfc.com|accessdate=12 August 2016|date=11 March 2016}} Four months later he returned to Burgess Hill Town,{{cite web|title=Tommy Fraser Returns to the Hillians|url=http://bhtfc.co.uk/2016/07/06/tommy-fraser-returns-to-the-hillians/|website=Burgess Hill Town FC|date=6 July 2016|accessdate=12 August 2016}} before he joined former loan club Bognor Regis Town in November 2016.{{cite web|title=Under-strength Rocks slip to home defeat|url=http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/under-strength-rocks-slip-to-home-defeat-1-7700544/|website=Bognor Regis Observer|date=27 November 2016|accessdate=29 November 2016}}
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Honours
Whitehawk
- Isthmian League Division One South: 2011–12
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fraser, Tommy}}
Category:Footballers from Brighton
Category:People educated at Varndean College
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Bognor Regis Town F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Whitehawk F.C. players
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Australia
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia
Category:Melbourne Knights FC players
Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players
Category:Peacehaven & Telscombe F.C. players
Category:Burgess Hill Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players