Albert Fletcher (footballer, born 1867)
English footballer (1867–1940)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Albert Thomas Fletcher (4 June 1867 – 1940) was an English international footballer who played as a right half.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Albert Thomas Fletcher | ||
| Date of birth | 4 June 1867 | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
| Date of death | 1940 (aged 72–73) | ||
| Position | Right half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1885–1886 | Willenhall Pickwick | ||
| 1886–1893 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 59 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 1889–1890 | England | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early life
Born in Wolverhampton, Fletcher was described as a man who was huge in both body and spirit, a real "man mountain" who nevertheless possessed a great deal of skill.[1]
Career
He signed for Willenhall Pickwick in 1885.[2]
In 1886 Fletcher signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers when Jack Addenbrooke paid a golden sovereign for his signature from Willenhall Pickwick. Wolverhampton Wanderers joined the Football League two years after Fletcher joined the club.[3]
Fletcher, playing as one of the two wing-halves made his League debut on 8 September 1888, at Dudley Road, the then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The visitors were Aston Villa and the match ended in a 1–1 draw. At the time he was 21 years 96 days old; which made him, on the first weekend of League football, Wolverhampton Wanderers' youngest player. This was surpassed one week later by David Wykes.[2]
He scored his first and only League goal on 6 October 1888 at Thorneyholme Road, the home of Accrington. Fletcher scored the third of Wolverhampton Wanderers four goals. The match ended as a 4–4 draw.[4]
Fletcher appeared in 16 of the 22 League matches played by Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 1888–89 season. Playing at wing—half (16 appearances) was part of a midfield that achieved a big (three—League—goals—or—more) win on four separate occasions. He also played in the 1889 FA Cup Final as Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Preston North End 3–0.[2]
Fletcher made 42 League appearances over the next two seasons. He also won two England caps in 1889 and 1890 when selected to play against Wales on both occasions.[2]
He broke his leg in a match against Aston Villa and did not play during the 1891–92 season. He attempted a comeback during the 1892–93 season, but only played in one more League match, before retiring as a player. He made 120 first-team appearances for Wolves, of which 58 were Football League matches.
