Rod Fletcher
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Rodney Fletcher | ||
| Date of birth | 23 September 1945 | ||
| Place of birth | Preston, England | ||
| Playing position | Centre forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 196?–1962 | Nelson | ||
| 1962–1964 | Leeds United | 0 | (0) |
| 1964–1966 | Madeley College | ||
| 1966–1967 | Crewe Alexandra | 1 | (0) |
| 1967–1971 | Lincoln City | 90 | (29) |
| 1971–1973 | Scunthorpe United | 98 | (30) |
| 1973–1975 | Grimsby Town | 12 | (1) |
| – | Immingham Town | ||
| – | Louth United | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| – | Immingham Town | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
James Rodney "Rod" Fletcher (born 23 September 1945)[1] is an English former professional footballer who scored 60 goals from 201 games in the Football League playing as a centre forward for Crewe Alexandra, Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town.[2]
Career
Fletcher was born in Preston, Lancashire. He played for Nelson in the Lancashire Combination before turning professional with Leeds United in 1962. After two years playing for Leeds' junior teams he began a teacher training course, and in his final year played for Crewe Alexandra where he made his debut in the Football League. Fletcher signed on a part-time basis for Lincoln City while working in his first teaching post in nearby Grimsby. He scored regularly for the reserves but only established himself in the first team towards the end of the 1968–69 season.[1] The following year he was the club's top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions and played in every game.[3]
When managerial changes left Fletcher out of favour, he joined Scunthorpe United in 1971 for a £3,000 fee, to replace Kevin Keegan who had joined Liverpool.[1] Still combining his football and teaching careers, Fletcher was ever-present in the 1971–72 season. His 19 goals helped Scunthorpe to the Third Division title and made him the club's leading scorer, a feat he repeated the following season, though with only 10 goals as they were relegated.[4] He finished his professional career with two injury-hit seasons at Grimsby Town, going on to play non-League football for Immingham Town, which he also managed, and Louth United.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "#97 – Rod Fletcher". League Legends. Lincoln City F.C. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ "Rod Fletcher". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ "Rod Fletcher". The Lincoln City FC Archive. Lincoln City F.C. Retrieved 24 May 2010. Access individual season statistics via Season Stats dropdown menu at foot of right-hand sidebar.
- ↑ "The Iron Alphabet". Scunthorpe United F.C. Retrieved 24 May 2010.