Scott Fitzgerald (footballer, born 1969)

A central defender, Fitzgerald signed a professional contract with First Division club Wimbledon at the start of the 1987–88 season,[3] but did not make his debut for nearly three years, when he came on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur on 28 April 1990.[4] He did not play again until the 1991–92 season, when he played made 36 First Division appearances and scored his first goal for the club.[4] Fitzgerald made 20 appearances during the inaugural Premier League season and then made 28 appearances during the 1993–94 campaign.[5]

Fitzgerald made only 17 appearances during the 1994–95 season and lost his place in the team during 1995–96, making only four appearances.[5] He failed to appear at all during the 1996–97 season and left the Dons in July 1997.[6] Fitzgerald made 125 appearances and scored one goal during his decade as a professional with Wimbledon.[6]

Fitzgerald moved to First Division club Sheffield United on loan 23 November 1995 and made six appearances.[6]

Fitzgerald joined Second Division club Millwall on a one-month loan on 11 October 1996, making seven appearances before his loan expired.[6] He returned to the Lions for a second one-month loan on 24 December 1996, but failed to make an appearance before his loan expired.[6] Fitzgerald signed for Millwall permanently on 29 July 1997 for a £50,000 fee.[3]

Over the following three seasons, Fitzgerald made 93 appearances and scored one goal,[6] which came with an injury time winner in a 2–1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers on 15 August 1998.[7] Fitzgerald departed the club on 19 October 2000, having lost his place in the team and making only one appearance during the 2000–01 season.[6]

Fitzgerald joined Second Division club Colchester United on 19 October 2000 on a free transfer and remained with the club until the end of the 2003–04 season,[6] when he was released.[8] Over the course of his time with the Us, Fitzgerald made 128 appearances and scored no goals.[6]

Fitzgerald joined Second Division club Brentford on loan on 16 March 2004 and played an important role in the Bees' successful battle against relegation in the 2003–04 season.[9] He signed a permanent contract on 11 June 2004,[10] though he rarely featured in the side during the 2004–05 season.[11] The final appearance of Fitzgerald's career came in the last game of the regular season, playing alongside fellow veteran Andy Myers in defence in a 2–1 victory over already-promoted Hull City.[12]

Fitzgerald retired at the end of the 2004–05 season, following Brentford's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off semi-finals.[13] He made 24 appearances during his time with the Bees.[6] Though he had officially retired at the end of the 2004–05 season, Fitzgerald remained on the playing staff on a non-contract basis during 2005–06.[14]

While still a first team player, Fitzgerald was handed the role of assistant youth team manager of League One club Brentford by first team manager Martin Allen in October 2004.[15] Upon his retirement as a player at the end of the 2004–05 season, he signed a one-year contract to manage the Brentford youth team.[16] He left his role as youth team manager upon being appointed first team manager in November 2006 and departed the club in April 2007.[17]

Fitzgerald was appointed youth team manager at League One club Gillingham in July 2007.[18] He worked in the role for four months before leaving the club in December 2007.[19]

Fitzgerald was named youth team manager at former club Millwall in December 2007.[20] In 2012, Fitzgerald oversaw Millwall youth development system transfer to a Category Two academy.[21] Fitzgerald is currently academy manager with the Lions.[2]

Fitzgerald became caretaker manager of League One club Brentford on 18 November 2006, following the sacking of Leroy Rosenior.[22] The position was made permanent on 21 December 2006.[23] Despite a brief improvement in fortunes in February 2007,[24] Brentford were relegated from League One following a 3–1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra on 9 April 2007.[17] Fitzgerald's contract was terminated a day later and he departed the club.[25] Looking back in November 2009, Fitzgerald stated that "the experience has put me off managing a league club again".[26]

On 26 December 2013, Fitzgerald and Development Squad manager Neil Harris were appoint joint-caretaker managers following the sacking of Steve Lomas.[27] Fitzgerald ruled himself out of the running for the manager's job the following day.[28] The pair managed to muster just one point from their three Championship games in charge and returned to their original roles on 6 January 2014,[29] following the appointment of Ian Holloway.[30]