Steve Fulton
Encyclopedia
Stephen "Steve" Fulton is a retired Scottish footballer who played as a left winger.
Fulton joined Celtic
from their Boys Club
in 1987 and made his league debut during the 1988-89 season
. After his impressive display in a Scottish Cup
semi-final defeat of Hibernian
that year he was likened by his manager Billy McNeill
to Italian
forward Roberto Baggio
, and the Baggio moniker stuck with him throughout his career. He had become a first-team regular by 1990 and helped the side to the 1990-91
League Cup
final, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Old Firm
rivals Rangers
. Unusually for a player who spent six seasons with Celtic, he was destined not to earn a medal with the Parkhead
club.
Fulton left Celtic Park in August 1993, Bolton Wanderers
paying £
225,000 for his signature. However, he fell from favour within months of his move to Burnden Park
and spent part of the 1993-94 season
on loan to Peterborough United
before returning to Scotland at its conclusion, in a £100,000 move to Falkirk
. The Bairns enjoyed a profitable first season back in the Premier Division, challenging for European qualification and eventually finishing fifth, only six points behind 2nd place Motherwell
. Fulton re-established himself as a first-team player, playing 33 times during the campaign.
In July 1995, Jim Jeffries resigned as Falkirk manager to take-over at Heart of Midlothian
and Fulton was one of the first players he signed for the Edinburgh
club. The side had been near the bottom of the table at the time Fulton signed but recovered to finish 4th and reach the Scottish Cup Final, where Rangers proved too strong for them. He helped Hearts to the League Cup
Final the following season
and scored their first goal in the Celtic Park
showpiece. Rangers were again the opposition and once again they had the measure of Hearts, two individual goals from Paul Gascoigne
turning the match in the Glasgow
side's favour.
In 1997-98
, Hearts mounted an unexpected challenge for the league title, with Fulton in the vanguard. He was the only Hearts player to start every league game and his six goals from midfield led the side to an eventual third place finish. They also reached the Scottish Cup Final for the second time in three years and ended a 36-year wait for silverware by defeating Rangers 2-1. Due to an injury to regular skipper Gary Locke, Fulton was appointed captain for the occasion and he set his side on the way to victory after he was brought down in the box to win a first minute penalty kick
from which they took the lead.
Fulton earned selection to the Scotland national team
squad for the first time in September 1998, for a World Cup
qualifying game against Lithuania
. His Hearts team-mate Neil McCann
made his debut in that game but Fulton remained on the bench. Injuries and a loss of form ensured he wasn't selected in the next squad and as a result, never earned a full international cap.
After 1998, Fulton struggled to match the form he had achieved in his first three seasons with Hearts, the aforementioned injury concerns compounded by his difficulty in maintaining his optimum playing weight. By the 2000-01 season
he was no longer an automatic selection in midfield, although he did occasionally play as an emergency left back. In May 2001 he was informed by new Hearts manager Craig Levein
that he was free to leave the club and, after intermittent appearances during the 2001-02 season
, Fulton left Tynecastle
when his contract expired in May 2002.
Jim Jeffries was by this stage Kilmarnock
manager and he again moved to sign Fulton, offering him a two-year contract with the Ayrshire
club. Fulton moved to Partick Thistle
in 2004 but was sacked by Jags manager Dick Campbell
in April 2005 for a breach of club discipline. Fulton and team-mates Andy Dowie and Jamie Mitchell had left Raith Rovers
' Starks Park for a local pub
after learning they had not been selected in the Partick side, rather than watch their club's game. Mitchell's plea that the players did not consume alcohol
and were only discussing problems in his personal life in a private setting was disregarded by Campbell.
Fulton is currently a coach at Falkirk FC, in charge of the club's Under-17 side.
His sons Dale
and Jay
are also professional footballers with Fulton's former club Falkirk. Jay was born in Bolton
during his father's short spell in England
with Bolton Wanderers during the 1993-94 season.
Fulton joined Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
from their Boys Club
Celtic Boys Club
-External links:*...
in 1987 and made his league debut during the 1988-89 season
1988-89 in Scottish football
The 1988–89 season was the 92nd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:Rangers regained their league title and retained the League Cup, but defeat by Celtic in the Scottish Cup final ended their hopes of a domestic treble....
. After his impressive display in a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi-final defeat of Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
that year he was likened by his manager Billy McNeill
Billy McNeill
William "Billy" McNeill MBE is a former Scottish footballer and manager. He is best known for captaining Celtic to the European Cup triumph in 1967 and he later went on to manage the club. He is now the official Club Ambassador at Celtic....
to Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
forward Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio is a retired Italian footballer. Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation, Baggio won both the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. He is the only Italian player ever to score in three World Cups. He is also one of the top 5 all-time...
, and the Baggio moniker stuck with him throughout his career. He had become a first-team regular by 1990 and helped the side to the 1990-91
1990-91 in Scottish football
The 1990–91 season was the 94th season of competitive football in Scotland. It was notable for the fact that there was a last day title decider at Ibrox between Rangers and Aberdeen. Both teams went into the match level on points and goal difference, but Rangers needed to win the match...
League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
final, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
rivals Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. Unusually for a player who spent six seasons with Celtic, he was destined not to earn a medal with the Parkhead
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
club.
Fulton left Celtic Park in August 1993, Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
paying £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
225,000 for his signature. However, he fell from favour within months of his move to Burnden Park
Burnden Park
Burnden Park was the home of English FA Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers who played home games here between 1895 and 1997. As well as hosting an FA Cup Final replay it was the scene of one of the greatest disasters in English football and the subject of an L. S...
and spent part of the 1993-94 season
1993-94 in English football
The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years...
on loan to Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
before returning to Scotland at its conclusion, in a £100,000 move to Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
. The Bairns enjoyed a profitable first season back in the Premier Division, challenging for European qualification and eventually finishing fifth, only six points behind 2nd place Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
. Fulton re-established himself as a first-team player, playing 33 times during the campaign.
In July 1995, Jim Jeffries resigned as Falkirk manager to take-over at Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
and Fulton was one of the first players he signed for the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club. The side had been near the bottom of the table at the time Fulton signed but recovered to finish 4th and reach the Scottish Cup Final, where Rangers proved too strong for them. He helped Hearts to the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
Final the following season
1996-97 in Scottish football
The 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:...
and scored their first goal in the Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
showpiece. Rangers were again the opposition and once again they had the measure of Hearts, two individual goals from Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
turning the match in the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
side's favour.
In 1997-98
1997-98 in Scottish football
The 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:...
, Hearts mounted an unexpected challenge for the league title, with Fulton in the vanguard. He was the only Hearts player to start every league game and his six goals from midfield led the side to an eventual third place finish. They also reached the Scottish Cup Final for the second time in three years and ended a 36-year wait for silverware by defeating Rangers 2-1. Due to an injury to regular skipper Gary Locke, Fulton was appointed captain for the occasion and he set his side on the way to victory after he was brought down in the box to win a first minute penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
from which they took the lead.
Fulton earned selection to the Scotland national team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
squad for the first time in September 1998, for a World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
qualifying game against Lithuania
Lithuania national football team
The national football team of Lithuania is under the auspices of the Lithuanian Football Federation. It played its first match in 1923. In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union; the country regained its independence in 1990 and played their first match as a new nation against Georgia on...
. His Hearts team-mate Neil McCann
Neil McCann
Neil Docherty McCann is a Scottish professional footballer who is currently playing for Partick Thistle-Club career:...
made his debut in that game but Fulton remained on the bench. Injuries and a loss of form ensured he wasn't selected in the next squad and as a result, never earned a full international cap.
After 1998, Fulton struggled to match the form he had achieved in his first three seasons with Hearts, the aforementioned injury concerns compounded by his difficulty in maintaining his optimum playing weight. By the 2000-01 season
2000-01 in Scottish football
The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock...
he was no longer an automatic selection in midfield, although he did occasionally play as an emergency left back. In May 2001 he was informed by new Hearts manager Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
that he was free to leave the club and, after intermittent appearances during the 2001-02 season
2001-02 in Scottish football
The 2001–02 season was the 105th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:Celtic, domestic treble winners a year earlier, retain their Premier League title....
, Fulton left Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
when his contract expired in May 2002.
Jim Jeffries was by this stage Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
manager and he again moved to sign Fulton, offering him a two-year contract with the Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
club. Fulton moved to Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in 2004 but was sacked by Jags manager Dick Campbell
Dick Campbell
the folk singer-songwriter and film producer|Dick Campbell |Richard "Dick" Campbell is a Scottish association football manager and former player...
in April 2005 for a breach of club discipline. Fulton and team-mates Andy Dowie and Jamie Mitchell had left Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
' Starks Park for a local pub
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
after learning they had not been selected in the Partick side, rather than watch their club's game. Mitchell's plea that the players did not consume alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
and were only discussing problems in his personal life in a private setting was disregarded by Campbell.
Fulton is currently a coach at Falkirk FC, in charge of the club's Under-17 side.
His sons Dale
Dale Fulton
Dale Fulton is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Falkirk in the Scottish First Division.-Falkirk:...
and Jay
Jay Fulton
Jay Fulton is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Falkirk in the Scottish First Division.-Falkirk:Fulton aged 17 made his first team debut on 12 April 2011 as a substitute in Falkirk's 2-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish First Division...
are also professional footballers with Fulton's former club Falkirk. Jay was born in Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
during his father's short spell in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with Bolton Wanderers during the 1993-94 season.
External links
- Appearances at londonhearts.com