Craig Fleming
Encyclopedia
Craig Fleming is a former footballer. He was a defender
.
(69 appearances, no goals) where he made his debut aged 16. He also picked up the Barclays Player of the Month award at the same age. In the summer of 1991 he moved to Oldham Athletic
, where he made 192 appearances, scoring one goal. His spell at Oldham included three seasons in the top division in the early 1990s. In this period, Manchester United
manager Alex Ferguson
described Fleming as "the best man-to-man marker in the country" after playing some memorable games against a young Ryan Giggs
. In 1993 he was involved in Oldham Athletic's great escape when they narrowly avoided relegation from the premier league on goal difference. He became captain of the Latics in 1997 which was also the season when he left Boundary Park
for Carrow Road
, the home of Norwich City. In his first season with the Canaries he suffered some injury setbacks but this was soon behind him and he became a first team regular for nearly 10 seasons. In this time he also had spells of captaining his team and was a well-respected member of the squad.
In 2003 Fleming was voted into to the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame
On 23 October 2004 he made his 300th senior appearance for Norwich City in their home match against Everton
.
Fleming was a key figure in the Norwich side that won the first division championship in the 2003-2004 season, and the supporters recognised his outstanding contribution - not just during that season but over several years - by voting him Norwich City player of the year
ahead of Darren Huckerby
(2nd) and Robert Green
(3rd). During Norwich's Premiership season Fleming played every minute of every game, spending the most minutes on the pitch of any top flight player.
To mark the fact that the 2006-07 season was his tenth with the club, Norwich City granted Fleming a testimonial match against Newcastle United which took place at Carrow Road on 26 July 2006. This game finished 2-1 to Newcastle with Fleming playing for the majority of the game. In January 2007 Fleming joined Wolverhampton wanderers on a one month loan deal. There was increasing speculation that Bournemouth
would attempt to sign Fleming during the January transfer window in 2007, but Rotherham United
were the club to snap him up on a free transfer on 31 January.
Fleming signed for non-league King's Lynn
shortly after the start of the 2007-08 season, where he was under the management of former coach Keith Webb. On 12 March 2008, however. Fleming announced his retirement due to a persistent ankle injury.
Fleming ended his Norwich City career finishing 12th in the all time appearance list after clocking up 382 appearances.
During his time a NCFC, Fleming became patron of two charities, The Matthew Project and Radio Broadland Kidz. During his testimonial season he held many events to raise money for both charities, including a hike 'n' bike around Norfolk in which he raised in excess of £23,000.
In January 2009, Fleming became an Ambassador for Sport in Norfolk. In this role he visits schools and other youth organisations to help encourage young people to achieve through hard work and dedication.
He is now working as first team coach at Lowestoft Town
. Fleming joined LTFC in 2008 and they have since enjoyed two successful promotion seasons. In 2009–10 season they were promoted from Isthmian League
Division One North to Isthmian League
Premier Division.
Fleming is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Football career
Fleming began his professional career with his hometown club Halifax TownHalifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
(69 appearances, no goals) where he made his debut aged 16. He also picked up the Barclays Player of the Month award at the same age. In the summer of 1991 he moved to Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, where he made 192 appearances, scoring one goal. His spell at Oldham included three seasons in the top division in the early 1990s. In this period, Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
manager Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
described Fleming as "the best man-to-man marker in the country" after playing some memorable games against a young Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
. In 1993 he was involved in Oldham Athletic's great escape when they narrowly avoided relegation from the premier league on goal difference. He became captain of the Latics in 1997 which was also the season when he left Boundary Park
Boundary Park
Boundary Park is the main sports stadium of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies at the northwestern extremity of Oldham, with the towns of Royton and Chadderton lying immediately north and west respectively, giving rise to the name Boundary Park....
for Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
, the home of Norwich City. In his first season with the Canaries he suffered some injury setbacks but this was soon behind him and he became a first team regular for nearly 10 seasons. In this time he also had spells of captaining his team and was a well-respected member of the squad.
In 2003 Fleming was voted into to the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame
On 23 October 2004 he made his 300th senior appearance for Norwich City in their home match against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
.
Fleming was a key figure in the Norwich side that won the first division championship in the 2003-2004 season, and the supporters recognised his outstanding contribution - not just during that season but over several years - by voting him Norwich City player of the year
Norwich City player of the year
The Norwich City player of the year award is voted for annually by Norwich City's supporters, in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season...
ahead of Darren Huckerby
Darren Huckerby
Darren Huckerby is a former English footballer who played as a forward.-Early career:Huckerby was born in Nottingham, England. His mother is of partial Georgian descent. Huckerby started playing professionally for Lincoln City, before signing for Newcastle United in a £400,000 deal in 1995...
(2nd) and Robert Green
Robert Green
Robert Paul Green is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United and the England national football team as a goalkeeper.-Norwich City:...
(3rd). During Norwich's Premiership season Fleming played every minute of every game, spending the most minutes on the pitch of any top flight player.
To mark the fact that the 2006-07 season was his tenth with the club, Norwich City granted Fleming a testimonial match against Newcastle United which took place at Carrow Road on 26 July 2006. This game finished 2-1 to Newcastle with Fleming playing for the majority of the game. In January 2007 Fleming joined Wolverhampton wanderers on a one month loan deal. There was increasing speculation that Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
would attempt to sign Fleming during the January transfer window in 2007, but Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
were the club to snap him up on a free transfer on 31 January.
Fleming signed for non-league King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
shortly after the start of the 2007-08 season, where he was under the management of former coach Keith Webb. On 12 March 2008, however. Fleming announced his retirement due to a persistent ankle injury.
Fleming ended his Norwich City career finishing 12th in the all time appearance list after clocking up 382 appearances.
During his time a NCFC, Fleming became patron of two charities, The Matthew Project and Radio Broadland Kidz. During his testimonial season he held many events to raise money for both charities, including a hike 'n' bike around Norfolk in which he raised in excess of £23,000.
In January 2009, Fleming became an Ambassador for Sport in Norfolk. In this role he visits schools and other youth organisations to help encourage young people to achieve through hard work and dedication.
He is now working as first team coach at Lowestoft Town
Lowestoft Town F.C.
Lowestoft Town F.C. is an English football club based in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Crown Meadow.-History:...
. Fleming joined LTFC in 2008 and they have since enjoyed two successful promotion seasons. In 2009–10 season they were promoted from Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
Division One North to Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
Premier Division.
Fleming is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence.