Scott Fitzgerald (footballer, born 1969)

Scott Brian Fitzgerald (born 13 August 1969 in London) is an English-born Irish football coach, best remembered for his spells as a player with Wimbledon, Millwall and Colchester United. He won one cap for Republic of Ireland B at international level. After retiring as a player with Brentford in 2005, Fitzgerald began his career in coaching, heading the youth teams at Brentford, Gillingham and Millwall. He had a spell as a first team manager at Brentford during the 2006–07 season. Fitzgerald is currently academy director at Millwall.[2]

For other people named Scott Fitzgerald, see Scott Fitzgerald (disambiguation).

Scott Fitzgerald
Personal information
Full name Scott Brian Fitzgerald[1]
Date of birth (1969-08-13) 13 August 1969[1]
Place of birth Westminster, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Millwall (academy director)
Youth career
0000–1989 Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1997 Wimbledon 106 (1)
1995 → Sheffield United (loan) 6 (0)
1996 → Millwall (loan) 7 (0)
1996–1997 → Millwall (loan) 0 (0)
1997–2000 Millwall 82 (1)
2000–2004 Colchester United 116 (0)
2004 → Brentford (loan) 9 (0)
2004–2005 Brentford 12 (0)
Total 338 (2)
National team
1991 Republic of Ireland U21 4 (1)
1992 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
Teams managed
2006–2007 Brentford
2013–2014 Millwall (caretaker)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Wimbledon

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]

Sheffield United (loan)

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

Millwall (loans and permanent transfer)

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]

Colchester United

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]

Brentford (loan and permanent transfer)

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]

Coaching career

Brentford

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]

Gillingham

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]

Millwall

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]

Managerial career

Brentford

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]

Millwall

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]

International career

Fitzgerald was a Republic of Ireland B international.[31]

Career statistics

Player
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
Wimbledon 1989–90[4] First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1991–92[4] 36 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 1
1992–93[5] Premier League 20 0 0 0 0 0 — 20 0
1993–94[5] 28 0 0 0 2 0 — 30 0
1994–95[5] 17 0 0 0 3 0 — 20 0
1995–96[5] 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 0
Total 106 1 5 0 13 0 1 0 125 1
Sheffield United (loan) 1995–96[6] First Division 6 0 — — — 6 0
Millwall (loan) 1996–97[32] Second Division 7 0 — — — 7 0
Millwall 1997–98[33] Second Division 18 0 0 0 1 0 2[lower-alpha 1] 0 21 0
1998–99[7] 32 1 1 0 2 0 2[4] 0 37 1
1999–00[34] 31 0 1 0 1 0 1[4] 0 34 0
2000–01[35] 1 0 — 0 0 — 1 0
Total 89 1 2 0 4 0 5 0 100 1
Colchester United 2000–01[35] Second Division 30 0 1 0 — 1[4] 0 32 0
2001–02[36] 37 0 2 0 2 0 1[4] 0 42 0
2002–03[37] 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0
2003–04[38] 23 0 2 0 1 0 2[4] 0 28 0
Total 116 0 5 0 3 0 4 0 128 0
Brentford (loan) 2003–04[38] Second Division 9 0 — — — 9 0
Brentford 2004–05[39] League One 12 0 1 0 1 0 1[4] 0 15 0
Brentford total 21 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 24 0
Career total 345 2 13 0 26 0 11 0 395 2
  1. Appearances in Football League Trophy

Manager
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Brentford 18 November 2006 10 April 2007 25 4 5 16 016.0 [29]
Millwall (caretaker) 26 December 2013 6 January 2014 3 0 1 2 000.0
Total 28 4 6 18 014.3 —

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 146. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. "Millwall Academy Staff Profiles – Millwall FC". www.millwallfc.co.uk. Millwall FC Academy. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  3. "Football photographic encyclopedia, footballer, world cup, champions league, football championship, olympic games & hero images by". Sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  4. Scott Fitzgerald at WorldFootball.net
  5. "Scott B. Fitzgerald". 11v11.com. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  6. Scott Fitzgerald at Soccerbase
  7. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  8. "Coca-colaleagueone". Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  9. "Fitzgerald joins Brentford". BBC. 16 March 2004. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  10. "BBC SPORT | Football | Transfers – June 2004". BBC News. 2 June 2004. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  11. "Scott B Fitzgerald Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  12. "Match: Brentford v Hull City – English League One". Espn Fc. 7 May 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  13. Limited, Footymad. "Scott Fitzgerald Hopes To Get The Bees Buzzing – Carlisle United FC – CUFC Online". www.carlisleunited-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  14. "Bees boss focuses energy on promotion push". Richmond and Twickenham Times. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  15. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | QUIN EXTENDS ROLE". brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  16. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | MARTINS FRIDAY UPDATE". brentfordfc.co.uk. 27 May 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  17. "BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Brentford | Boss Fitzgerald leaves Brentford". BBC News. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  18. "Whatever Happened To... Scott Fitzgerald – Swansea City News | Planet Swans". Fansnetwork.co.uk. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  19. Cawdell, Luke (14 December 2007). "Gills youth team boss quits". Kentonline.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  20. "BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Millwall | Fitzgerald given job at Millwall". BBC News. 13 December 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  21. "Category Two status achieved". Millwallfc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  22. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | LEROY`S CONTRACT TERMINATED". brentfordfc.co.uk. 19 November 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  23. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | Board Announcement – New Manager". brentfordfc.co.uk. 21 December 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  24. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Brentford results for the 2006-2007 season - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  25. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | BEES SEEK NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM". brentfordfc.co.uk. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  26. Fitzjohn, Simon (5 November 2009). "Bees put me off management: Fitzgerald (From Wimbledon Guardian)". Wimbledonguardian.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  27. "BBC Sport – Millwall: Steve Lomas sacked after Watford defeat on Boxing Day". Bbc.co.uk. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  28. Porter, Toby (27 December 2013). "SPORT | Harris and Fitzgerald rule themselves out of running". Greenwich Today. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  29. Scott Fitzgerald management career statistics at Soccerbase
  30. Standard Sport (6 January 2014). "Millwall appoint Ian Holloway as new manager – Football – Sport – London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  31. Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 57. ISBN 978-0955294914.
  32. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  33. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  34. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  35. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  36. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  37. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  38. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  39. "Games played by Scott Fitzgerald in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.