Barry Fuller

Barry Marc Fuller (born 25 September 1984) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Dorking Wanderers. He previously played for Stevenage Borough, forming part of the squad that won the 2006–07 FA Trophy in the first competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium after they beat Kidderminster Harriers 2–1 on 12 May 2007 in front of a record FA Trophy crowd of 53,262. Fuller has also made over 200 appearances for Gillingham and was captain of the squad that beat Shrewsbury Town 1–0 in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 23 May 2009 to win promotion to League One.

Barry Fuller
Fuller playing for AFC Wimbledon in 2013
Personal information
Full name Barry Marc Fuller[1]
Date of birth (1984-09-25) 25 September 1984[1]
Place of birth Ashford, Kent, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
Dorking Wanderers
Youth career
000?–1997 Kennington Juniors FC
1997–2004 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Charlton Athletic 0 (0)
2006Barnet (loan) 15 (1)
2006–2008 Stevenage Borough 61 (1)
2008–2012 Gillingham 137 (0)
2012–2013 Barnet 39 (0)
2013–2018 AFC Wimbledon 205 (1)
2018–2020 Gillingham 69 (1)
2020– Dorking Wanderers 1 (0)
National team
2007 England C 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:22, 5 January 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Early years

Born in Ashford, Kent, Fuller was spotted playing for his local club, Kennington Juniors FC, by Premier League side Charlton Athletic who signed him to their youth Academy at the age of thirteen.[3] The full-back progressed through the Addicks' Academy up until the age of nineteen, signing his first professional contract on 1 July 2004. On 17 July 2004, he featured for Charlton Athletic in a pre-season friendly win over Kent League side Sittingbourne; he scored in the 83rd minute to confirm a 3–0 win following a brace by fellow youngster Lloyd Sam.[4] The young right-back was selected to captain Charlton Athletic's Reserves side during the 2004–05 season, helping the club to finish as Champions of the Premier Reserve League Southern Division. He also represented Charlton in the first ever Premier Reserve League Shield national play-off final on 12 May 2005, which saw Northern Division champions Manchester United Reserves beat the Addicks 4–2 at The Valley.[5] Despite his success with the Reserves, however, he failed to break into the first team and was subsequently loaned out to League Two side Barnet on an initial one-month deal on 12 January 2006.[6] The 21-year-old defender made his Football League debut on 14 January 2006 in a 4–1 defeat by Lincoln City.[7] On 15 February 2006, it was announced that he would remain with Barnet for a further month.[8] On 18 March 2006, he scored his first Football League goal in a 2–2 draw with Peterborough United.[9] On 24 March 2006, Barnet manager Paul Fairclough extended Fuller's loan for a third and final time up until 22 April.[10] He played his final game for the Bees on 22 April 2006 in a 0–0 draw with Chester City before subsequently returning to Charlton Athletic.[11] In total, he made fifteen league appearances for Barnet during the 2005–06 season, which proved to be a vital contribution in helping the club avoid relegation from the Football League.[12] Despite impressing on his loan spell, the 20-year-old defender was released by Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley at the end of the season.[3]

Stevenage Borough

On 28 June 2006, Fuller signed for Conference side Stevenage Borough.[13] He made his debut for the Boro in a 2–1 defeat by York City on 15 August 2006.[14] The defender scored his only goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Grays Athletic on 17 February 2007.[15] He was ever-present throughout the 2006–07 season, making thirty-seven league appearances in all.[16] He was also indispensable to the club's FA Trophy success, featuring in both semi-final legs which saw Stevenage Borough beat Grays Athletic 3–1 on aggregate.[17] He was part of the squad that played in the 2007 FA Trophy Final against Kidderminster Harriers on 12 May 2007 in front of a record FA Trophy crowd of 53,262.[18] Stevenage came back from 2–0 down to ultimately triumph 3–2 following an 88th-minute goal by Steve Morison; the victory was all the more significant for Fuller as he became a member of the first team to win a competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium.[19] He would go on to make 24 league appearances for the Boro during the 2007–08 season before subsequently leaving the club to sign a two-year deal with League One side Gillingham on 28 January 2008 along with teammate Stuart Lewis; reuniting him with the manager who had previously recruited him at Stevenage Borough, Mark Stimson.[20]

Gillingham

Fuller made his debut for Gillingham in the 2–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on 29 January 2008.[21] The defender would go on to make nine more appearances for the Gills in the 2007–08 season.[22] On 10 October 2008, despite having only been with the Gills for nine months, the 24-year-old was appointed as club captain.[23] He made forty league appearances in total during the 2008–09 season, making him integral to the club's push for promotion.[24] In spite of this level of consistency, however, his season was wrought with difficulty. The defender's troubles began when he was sent off for a second yellow card offence after a foul on Sam Wood in the 88th minute of a 1–1 draw with Brentford on 20 December 2008, resulting in a one match ban.[25] His troubles did not end there however, as in January 2009 he was rushed to hospital after contracting bacterial pneumonia.[26] He made a rapid recovery, however, and returned just five weeks later to play a full match in a 2–0 defeat by Rotherham United at Millmoor on 14 February 2009.[27] Despite these set-backs, he was able to help Gillingham finish the season in 5th place, making them eligible for the League Two play-offs. Gillingham faced Rochdale in the play-off semi-final, drawing 0–0 in the first leg on 7 May 2009,[28] before securing a place in the play-off final by beating Rochdale 2–1 at the Priestfield Stadium in the second leg on 10 May 2009.[29] Gillingham faced Shrewsbury Town in the 2009 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 23 May 2009, in which Fuller captained his side to a 1–0 win over "The Shrews" in front of a crowd of 53,706 to seal promotion to League One,[30] a dramatic turn of events considering that he had been suffering with a life-threatening illness just five months before.[31][32]

Fuller holding the League Two Play-off Winners trophy after captaining Gillingham to a 1–0 victory over Shrewsbury Town at Wembley Stadium on 23 May 2009

Fuller made 36 league appearances for "The Gills" in their first season back in League One,[33] however, once again the latter half of his season was blighted by injury. The 25-year-old Gillingham captain suffered a broken arm after taking a kick on the forearm in a 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient on 23 February 2010.[34] A specialist subsequently confirmed that this injury would sideline him for approximately six weeks.[35] By the time of his return the Gills were embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation and their fortunes took a turn for the worse when Fuller suffered a broken nose mere seconds after kick-off after a clash of heads with teammate Darren Dennehy in what would go on to be a 3–2 win over Leeds United on 17 April 2010; he was substituted by Jack Payne in the fourth minute of play.[36] Fuller was unable to prevent the Gills' relegation slide back into League Two after he was sidelined for the rest of the season, undergoing surgery on his broken nose a few days after the incident.[37] In spite of this, however, he was offered a two-year contract extension, along with teammate Garry Richards, by new Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler on 25 March 2010.[38] He accepted the terms and on 4 June 2010 it was announced that he had signed a new contract along with striker Dennis Oli.[39]

Gillingham began the 2010–11 season in poor form, winning just three of their first sixteen games of the season which brought the Gills captain under fire.[40] However, the side quickly turned their form around by going on to win six of their next eight league games and were unbeaten for 16 league matches between a 2–1 win over Aldershot Town on 29 January 2011 and a 1–1 draw with Morecambe on 16 April 2011. Fuller made his 100th league appearance for Gillingham on 30 October 2010 in a 2–1 defeat by Northampton Town.[41] The Gills ultimately finished in 8th place, just missing out on the League Two play-offs. He made forty-two league appearances for Gillingham throughout the season.[42] On 27 July 2011, Gillingham announced that Fuller would be relieved of the captain's armband, having worn it for three seasons, and would be replaced by new signing Andy Frampton.[43] The right-back once again found himself plagued by injury worries in the 2011–12 season, making just nine league appearances.[44] He suffered an injury to his knee in a 6–1 win over Hereford United on 17 September 2011.[45] On further examination the injury was found to be serious and on 13 October 2011 it was announced that he would be out for the rest of the season and had to undergo a "career-saving" knee operation immediately which would prevent him from playing again for nine months.[46] This proved to be a devastating blow for Fuller, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the 2012 season, as his deal was not renewed by new Gillingham manager Martin Allen and he was subsequently released by the club on 28 July 2012 having made 137 league appearances.[47]

Barnet

On 13 August 2012, Fuller signed for League Two side Barnet on a free transfer, along with Gillingham teammate Curtis Weston.[48] He made his debut for the Bees in a 1–1 draw with Bristol Rovers on 21 August 2012.[49] He would go on to make 39 league appearances, cementing his place as the club's first choice right-back.[50] Barnet started the 2012–13 season poorly, failing to win any of their first 12 league matches and were ultimately relegated to the Conference on goal difference after finishing in 23rd place.[51] Barnet's relegation required manager Edgar Davids to release a number of players as an austerity measure to accommodate the fact that the club would be operating on a smaller wage budget in the 2013–14 season, and it was announced on 22 May 2013 that Fuller would be released along with 12 other players.[52]

AFC Wimbledon

On 28 May 2013, Fuller signed for League Two side AFC Wimbledon along with former Havant & Waterlooville midfielder Chris Arthur.[53] Shortly after his signing, Fuller disclosed to the media that he hoped to establish himself as a key member of the squad and expressed his loyalty to the club by stating that he hoped to see out the rest of his professional career with AFC Wimbledon.[54] A month later, he found himself reunited with former teammate and fellow ex-Gillingham captain, Andy Frampton, when it was announced that he had also signed a contract with the South London club on 28 June 2013.[55] On 31 July 2013, manager Neal Ardley appointed Alan Bennett as club captain and declared that Fuller would act as vice-captain for the 2013–14 season.[56] Fuller made his league debut for "The Dons" in a 1–1 draw with Torquay United on 3 August 2013.[57] He was an ever-present for the club throughout the season, making forty five league appearances in total. Fuller's consistently committed performances and dogged attitude quickly established him as a favourite with supporters, culminating in him being voted as Player of the Year at the end of season awards.[58] He scored his first goal for the Dons when he scored the winner in a 1–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.[59]

He was released by AFC Wimbledon at the end of the 2017–18 season.[60]

Return to Gillingham

On 2 June 2018, Fuller returned to Gillingham, signing a one-year contract.[61] He made 38 league appearances in the 2018–19 season and was voted as the club's Player of the Season.[62]

On 5 April 2019 he signed a one-year contract extension with the club.[63] Fuller made his 200th appearance for the club in a 1–0 defeat to Coventry City on 24 August 2019.[64]

In June 2020 he triggered a one-year extension to his contract with the Kent club, but was informed by manager Steve Evans that he was free to pursue other options with Evans citing a desire to build a more youthful squad.[65]

On 6 August 2020 it was confirmed that Fuller had left Gillingham after he, along with the club, decided to terminate his contract by mutual consent.[66]

Dorking Wanderers

On 27 August 2020 Fuller joined National League South side Dorking Wanderers [67]

International career

Fuller's only appearance for a national team came when he was selected to represent the England C team, along with fellow Stevenage Borough teammates Ronnie Henry and Steve Morison, in an international friendly against Northern Ireland on 13 February 2007 which ended as a 3–1 win for England.[68]

Career statistics

As of 6 October 2020
Club Season League Play-offs FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total Discipline
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic 2004–05 Premier League 00000000000000
Barnet (loan) 2005–06[69] League Two 1510000000015150
Stevenage Borough 2006–07[70] Conference 3710010005043170
2007–08[71] Conference 2400010000025060
Total 61100200050681 130
Gillingham 2007–08[71] League One 1000000000010030
2008–09[72] League Two 3703030101045091
2009–10[73] League One 3600030201042080
2010–11[74] League Two 4200010001044070
2011–12[75] League Two 900000100010030
Total 1340307040301510301
Barnet 2012–13[76] League Two 3900010001041050
AFC Wimbledon 2013–14[77] League Two 4500010101048030
2014 – 15[78] League Two 45 1 0 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 53 1 8 0
2015–16[79] League Two 45030101010510100
2016–17[80] League One 2800050101035050
2017 – 18[81] League One 4200030100046060
Total 20513014050602331320
Gillingham 2018–19[82] League One 3910040100044080
2019–20[83] League One 3000040100035080
Total 69100802000790160
Dorking Wanderers 2020–21[84] National League South 10001000001010
Career total 52446033011015058731031
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances (including substitutions) and goals in either the Football League Trophy or the FA Trophy.

Honours

Club

Stevenage Borough

Gillingham

AFC Wimbledon

Individual

  • AFC Wimbledon Player of the Season: 2013–14[87]
  • AFC Wimbledon Player's Player of the Season: 2013–14,[88] 2015–16[89]
  • Gillingham Player of the Season: 2018–19[62]

References

  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. "Barry Fuller". Gillingham F.C. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  3. "Fuller: we must be strong". afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  4. "Sittingbourne 0–3 Charlton Athletic XI". kentishfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  5. "Charlton Athletic Reserves 2–4 Manchester United Reserves". Charlton Athletic. Archived from the original on 30 June 2006. Retrieved 12 May 2005.
  6. "Bees complete loan deal". skysports.com. Retrieved 12 January 2006.
  7. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2006.
  8. "Fuller extends Bees stay". skysports.com. Retrieved 15 February 2006.
  9. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 March 2006.
  10. "Fuller extends Barnet stay". skysports.com. Retrieved 24 March 2006.
  11. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 April 2006.
  12. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 April 2006.
  13. "Stevenage recruit ex–Charlton man". BBC Football. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2006.
  14. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2006.
  15. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
  16. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  17. "FA Trophy semi-final second legs". BBC Football. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  18. "The history of The FA Trophy". The FA. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  19. Hughes, Ian (12 May 2007). "Kidderminster 2–3 Stevenage". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  20. "Gills grab Stevenage duo". skysports.com. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  21. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  22. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  23. "Fuller relishing new role". skysports.com. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  24. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2008/2009". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  25. "Gillingham 1–1 Brentford". BBC Football. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  26. "Gills captain contracts pneumonia". BBC Football. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  27. "Fuller makes dramatic return to fitness". kentnews.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
  28. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  29. "Simeon Jackson double sends Gillingham to Wembley". The Guardian. London. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  30. MacAskill, Sandy (23 May 2009). "Gillingham 1–0 Shrewsbury Town: League Two play-off final 2009". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  31. "Fuller aims to repeat Gills glory". BBC Sport. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  32. Dart, Tom (25 May 2009). "Barry Fuller puts dark days behind him to help Gillingham into League One". The Times. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  33. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  34. "Fuller blow for Gills". skysports.com. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  35. "Gills skipper out for six weeks". skysports.com. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  36. "Gills wait on skipper". skysports.com. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  37. "Fuller's season could be over". skysports.com. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  38. "Gills duo offered new deals". skysports.com. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  39. "Barry Fuller and Dennis Oli agree new Gillingham deals". kentonline.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  40. "Fuller: Gills can take the heat". skysports.com. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  41. "Northampton Town 2–1 Gillingham". football.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  42. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  43. "Gillingham boss hands captaincy to Andy Frampton". BBC Football. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  44. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  45. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  46. "Gillingham's Barry Fuller will miss rest of the season". BBC Football. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  47. "Gillingham decide to release defender Barry Fuller". BBC Football. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  48. "Barnet sign Barry Fuller and Curtis Weston on free transfers". BBC Football. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  49. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  50. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  51. "Barnet relegated from the Football League". Barnet. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  52. "Barnet: Edgar Davids takes released total to 13 players". BBC Football. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  53. "AFC Wimbledon sign Chris Arthur and Barry Fuller". BBC Football. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  54. Tear, Yann. "Fuller wants to end career with Dons". getwestlondon.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  55. "Dons seal Frampton deal". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  56. "Bennett named as captain". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  57. "Torquay United 1–1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  58. "AFC Wimbledon defender wins player of the year poll". london24.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  59. "AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Dag & Red". BBC. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  60. "AFC Wimbledon release nine players including captain Barry Fuller". BBC Sport. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  61. "Barry Fuller: Gillingham re-sign former captain and Brandon Hanlan joins". BBC Sport. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  62. "Barry Fuller is named Gillingham player-of-the-year for the 2018/19 season". Kent Online. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  63. "Barry Fuller: Gillingham defender signs new contract with League One club". 5 April 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  64. "Gillingham stalwart Barry Fuller 'overwhelmed' by fans' support as he celebrates milestone". Kent Online. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  65. "Gillingham release Ouss Cisse, Mark Byrne and Ben Pringle while Lee Hodson and Barry Fuller are free to look elsewhere". Kent Online. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  66. "Gillingham part ways with defender Barry Fuller". Kent Online. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  67. "Former Gillingham defender Barry Fuller signs for Dorking Wanderers". Kent Online. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  68. Oliver, Pete (13 February 2007). "Fairclough plotting next phase". BBC Football. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
  69. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  70. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  71. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  72. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  73. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  74. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  75. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  76. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  77. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  78. "Barry Fuller | Football Stats | Gillingham | Season 2014/2015 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  79. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  80. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  81. "Barry Fuller | Football Stats | Gillingham | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  82. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  83. "Games played by Barry Fuller in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  84. Fletcher, Paul (24 May 2009). "Gillingham 1–0 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  85. Pilnick, Brent (30 May 2016). "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  86. "Fuller gets the plaudits but he demands more from the under-achieving Dons next season". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  87. "Player of the Year awards". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  88. "Paul scoops double award". AFC Wimbledon. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.