Bobby Fisher (footballer)

Robert Paul Fisher (born 3 August 1956) is an English retired professional football right back, best remembered for his 9 years in the Football League with Orient, for whom he made 350 appearances and was captain. After leaving Orient in 1982, Fisher played for Cambridge United and Brentford, before dropping into non-league football. He later moved into coaching and television.

Bobby Fisher
Personal information
Full name Robert Paul Fisher[1]
Date of birth (1956-08-03) 3 August 1956
Place of birth Wembley, England
Position(s) Right back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1982 Orient 314 (4)
1982–1984 Cambridge United 42 (0)
1984–1986 Brentford 45 (0)
1986–1987 Maidstone United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Orient

A right back, Fisher began his career in the youth system at Second Division club Orient and made his debut during the 1972–73 season while still a teenager.[2] He broke into the team in the following season and became the Brisbane Road club's regular right back until 1982.[2] Aside from being named captain,[3] a highlight of Fisher's time with Orient came in April 1978, when the Os' 1977–78 FA Cup run saw them denied a place at Wembley after a 3–0 defeat to First Division club Arsenal in the semi-finals.[4] Orient's relegation to Third Division in 1982 saw Fisher leave the club, after making 350 appearances in 9 years.[3]

Cambridge United

Fisher signed for Second Division club Cambridge United in November 1982.[1] He failed to hold down a regular place in the team and departed in February 1984.[1]

Brentford

Fisher joined Third Division strugglers Brentford for a £5,000 fee in February 1984.[5] His presence in the defence helped stabilise the defence and guide the Bees away from relegation to a 20th-place finish.[6][7] He continued as Frank McLintock's first choice right back until March 1985, when young centre back Keith Millen broke into the team and McLintock moved Danis Salman to right back.[6] Fisher had his contract cancelled and he departed Brentford on October 1986,[5] having made 56 appearances during just over two and a half years at Griffin Park.[6]

Maidstone United

Fisher ended his career in non-league football with Conference club Maidstone United.[6]

Coaching career

Fisher was head coach of the Great Britain Over 45s team which won the gold medal at the 2009 Maccabiah Games.[8] He served as assistant to David Pollock of the Open team at the 2013 edition.[9]

Television career

After his retirement from football, Fisher dabbled in acting, making appearances in television series' Space Precinct, Starhunter, Forensic Factor. and The Manageress.[10][11]

Personal life

Fisher is the nephew of former footballer Mark Lazarus and began his career at Orient while Lazarus was winding down his league career with his second spell at the club.[6] Being mixed-race and Jewish,[12] he has spoken about the racism he received from the terraces as a player.[3][13]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brentford 1983–84[14] Third Division 17 0 0 0 0 0 2[lower-alpha 1] 0 19 0
1984–85[14] 28 0 3 0 4 0 2[2] 0 37 0
1985–86[14] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 45 0 3 0 4 0 4 0 56 0
  1. Appearances in Football League Trophy

References
  1. "Bobby Fisher". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. "The Greatest XI: Focus on the nominated right-backs". www.leytonorient.com. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  3. Goldsmith, Dan. "Former Leyton Orient defender Bobby Fisher reflects on racism in football". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  4. "Flashback: Arsenal 3–0 Orient – 1978". arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  5. Croxford, Mark; Lane, David; Waterman, Greville (2011). The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties. Sunbury, Middlesex: Legends Publishing. p. 347. ISBN 978-1906796716.
  6. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 57. ISBN 0955294916.
  7. Brentford F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  8. "Fun and Games as GB heroes dig in for gold". thejc.com. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  9. "Maccabi GB Announce Football Management Team for the 2013 Maccabiah Games". maccabigb.org. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  10. "Robert Fisher". IMDb. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  11. "Cast Of The Manageress A New Channel 4 TV Series". Diomedia. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  12. "Revealed: the forgotten Jews of English football". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  13. Clavane, Anthony (2013). Does Your Rabbi Know You're Here?. Quercus. ISBN 0857388142.
  14. White, Eric, ed. (1989). 100 Years Of Brentford. Brentford FC. pp. 397–398. ISBN 0951526200.
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