NICKY EADEN – FRASER FYVIE
EADEN, Nicky
DOB: 12th December 1972
Other clubs: Barnsley, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, Lincoln City, Halesowen Town, Solihull Moors, Kettering Town, Peterborough United (asst manager), Rotherham United (coach), Kettering Town (asst manager)
Honours: First Division play offs winner 2002 (Birmingham City)
Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)
Blue Square North Championship winner 2008 (Kettering Town)
Nicky arrived at the JJB Stadium on loan from Birmingham City on 20th September 2002 as ex Latics boss and Birmingham manager Steve Bruce was keen on Nicky gaining first team football as he was unable to break into the Premier League side’s first team squad. He made his Latics League debut on 22nd September 2002 against Peterborough United in a home encounter which the Blues drew 2-2.
However, prior to his fifth League game for the club, v Stockport County at the JJB Stadium on 19th October 2002, he signed a two and a half year contract for the Blues as he was allowed to leave St Andrews on a free transfer. By the end of season 2002/03 he had made 36 League appearances in a campaign that resulted in the Second Division Championship being sewn up with a club record 100 points. During the following season in Division One he never missed a League game.
Nicky goes down in Latics folklore as a member of the squad that took Latics into the Premiership for the first time in the club’s history. By the end of the 2004/05 campaign he had made 117+6 League appearances without hitting the net. It is interesting to note that Nicky was one of EIGHT players who played in the promotion winning game against Reading and the Second Division Championship winning side who played against Barnsley in the final game at the JJB Stadium in 2003. Somewhat surprisingly he was given a free transfer to Nottingham Forest on 30th June 2005.
He is currently (July 2012) the assistant manager of Kettering Town.
EDMAN, Erik
DOB: 11th November 1978
Other clubs: Helsingborgs IF, Torino, Karlsruher SC, AIK, SC Heerenveen, Tottenham Hotspur, Rennes, Helsingborgs IF
Honours: Sweden (57 caps 1 goal)
Swedish League championship winner 1999, 2011 (Helsingborgs IF)
Swedish Cup winner 1998, 2010, 2011 (Helsingborgs IF)
Swedish Super Cup winner 2011. 2012 (Helsingborgs IF)
Erik was signed by Steve Bruce for an undisclosed fee from Rennes on 18th January 2008. He signed a two and a half year deal at the club and was Bruce’s fourth January transfer window signing, following in the footsteps of Wilson Palacios, Maynore Figueroa and Luis Antonio Valencia. He arrived at the club carrying an injury but finally made his Latics Premiership debut on 23rd February 2008 at the JJB Stadium against Derby County in a game Latics won 2-0. He proved to be a major influence on the defence as for the next three games Latics didn’t conceded a goal and picked up five more points.
Disaster struck on his fifth outing against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 22nd March 2008, Following a challenge with former Latics favourite, Jason Roberts, he fell awkwardly rupturing several ligaments in his leg. He made his comeback from this injury as a used substitute in a FA Cup third round game against Tottenham Hotspur on 2nd January 2009, the game resulted in a 3-1 defeat. As at the end of season 2008/09 his Latics career consisted of 5+3 Premier League appearances without scoring.
He made just 2+1 more Premier League appearance for the Blues during the following 2009/10 campaign and one of those was the inglorious 9-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, a defeat that is still an all time record league defeat, and signed a five year deal with his former club, Helsingborgs on 3rd February2010.
EDWARDSON, Barry
DOB: 4th November 1972
Other clubs: Northwich Victoria, Tetley Walker, Daisy Hill
Barry, a Hindley lad, progressed through the club’s youth set up after being spotted playing for Junior Latics and was a stalwart of the Blues’ reserve team when he made his only Latics League appearance as a substitute on 19th October 1991. The game was a cracker, a 3-3 draw against Birmingham City at St Andrews. Barry however, failed to make the grade at Springfield Park and was released at the end of the 1991/92 season.
He signed for Northwich Victoria and made just six appearances and scored once for the Vics before finishing his career at Daisy Hill.
EDGHILL, Richard
DOB: 25th November 1974
Other clubs: Manchester City, Birmingham City, Sheffield United, Queens Park Rangers, Bradford City, Macclesfield Town
Honours: England Under 21’s (3 caps),
England B (1 cap)
Richard was released by Manchester City at the end of the 2001/02 season and arrived at the JJB Stadium at the beginning of September 2002 on a trial basis. Paul Jewell signed him on a non-contract basis and he played his first, and only, game for the club against Notts County at Meadow Lane in a Leyland Daf Vans Trophy first round game on 22nd October 2002. The game resulted in a 3-2 victory for the Blues.
He finished his career at Macclesfield Town in May 2009 and he is currently (July 2012) working as a coach at Manchester City’s Soccer School.
ELLINGTON, Nathan
DOB: 2nd July 1981
Other clubs: Walton and Hersham, Bristol Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Derby County, Skoda Xanthi, Preston North End, Ipswich Town
Honours: Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)
Nathan, nicknamed ‘The Duke’, and who once played table tennis for Great Britain, became the club’s record signing on transfer deadline day, 28th March 2002. Latics paid Bristol Rovers £1,200,000 for his services. The 22 years old striker signed a four-year deal, designed to keep him at the club until the summer of 2006. Nathan signed for the Blues in preference to both West Bromwich Albion and Millwall, both clubs that were chasing promotion to the Premiership. He made his Latics
League debut on 6th April 2002 against Chesterfield at Saltergate in a game that resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Blues. Nathan and Andy Liddell were the goal scorers.
The following season (2002/03) saw him being a main player in the Second Division Championship campaign where he brought his club total to 45 League games played and 18 League goals scored. His season also saw him pick up the Worthington Cup ‘Top Scorer’ award and his five goals in that competition saw Latics progress to the quarter finals for the first time in their history. Doubts about his ability to step up a level were dispelled the following season when he scored18 League goals again despite playing a game less. By the end of season 2003/04 his tally for Latics was an impressive 89 League appearances with 36 League goals scored.
Nathan became a true Latics great the following season by being a member of the squad that won promotion to the Premiership for the first time in the club’s history. It was the manner in which he achieved his dream that was remarkable. Playing with an injured shoulder for most of the campaign he became not only Latics’ but the Championship’s top league goal scorer by bagging 24 goals. He also scored Latics’ last ever goal in the Championship! In total he made 129+4 League appearances, netting 60 League goals, becoming, to date, (June 2009), Latics’ second highest league goal scorer since the club relocated to the JJB Stadium.
Sadly, for Latics, he was sold on 13th August 2005 to West Bromwich Albion for £3,000,001, which was the eve of the Latics’ first ever Premiership season. The fee involved was a record amount received by the club for a player and Nathan left knowing that no player had scored more goals for the club than him since relocation. His reasons for leaving Latics were that he felt the Baggies had a better chance of Premiership survival than Latics.
He also stated that their manager Bryan Robson, was one of his heroes and thought that he would enhance his career. In the event the Midlands team were relegated whilst Latics finished the season in tenth position. After three unhappy seasons at the Hawthorns, and numerous attempts by Paul Jewell to re sign him, he eventually joined Championship outfit Watford for an undisclosed fee on 29th August 2007.
He spent most of season 2008/09 on loan to Derby County but when Nigel Clough replaced ex Latics manager Paul Jewell in the Pride Park hotseat Ellington returned to Watford. He was loaned from Vicarage Road to Greek outfit Skoda Xanthi on 21st December 2009. On his return to Watford a year later he was then loaned to Preston North End before joining up with Paul Jewell’s Ipswich Town on 21st July 2011 on a free transfer.
ENTWISTLE, Wayne
DOB: 6th August 1958
Other clubs: Bury, Sunderland, Leeds United, Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Wimbledon, Grays Athletic, Bury, Carlisle United, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Stockport County, Altrincham, Hartlepool United, Bacup Borough, Radcliffe Borough, Curzon Ashton
Wayne, a former England youth international, joined Latics on a free transfer from Bury in October 1989. He made his Latics League debut on 22nd October 1989 against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a game that resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Blades. In total he made 24+5 League appearances and scored 6 League goals in his only season at Springfield Park before joining Altrincham in July 1989.
EVANS, Clive
DOB: 1st May 1957
Other clubs: Tranmere Rovers, Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County, Lincoln City, Caernarfon Town
Clive was signed by Larry Lloyd from Tranmere Rovers at the start of season 1981/82 and he became a key player during the season in which the Blues won their first ever Football League promotion. On the opening day of the season, 29th August 1981, he made his Latics League debut against Bradford City at Valley Parade. The game was a cracker and resulted in a 3-3 draw with Clive scoring two of the Blues’ goals, thus becoming the first Latics player to score twice on his debut.
He only played this one season for the club before being transferred to Crewe Alexandra, in total he played 29+3 League games for the club during which he scored 2 League goals. He finished his career at Caernarfon Town in the Northern Premier League.
A bit of Clive Evans trivia… did you know that it was Clive who broke Neil Davids’ leg? The break finished Neil’s career and the tackle occurred on 25th October 1980 in a league game against Tranmere Rovers.
FAIRCLOUGH, David
DOB: 5th January 1957
Other clubs: Liverpool, Toronto Blizzard, Lucerne, Norwich City, Oldham Athletic, Beveren SK, Tranmere Rovers
Honours: England Under 21’s (1 cap), First Division Championship winner 1976 (Liverpool) UEFA Cup winner 1976 (Liverpool)
First Division Championship winner 1977 (Liverpool) Charity Shield winner (Liverpool) European Super Cup winner 1977 (Liverpool)
European Cup winner 1978 (Liverpool) Leyland Daf Cup winner 1990 (Tranmere Rovers)
By the time the famous Liverpool ‘super sub’ arrived at Springfield Park it is pretty safe to comment that he had passed his ‘sell by’ date. He arrived at Springfield Park via Tranmere Rovers for the start of the 1990/91 season and made his Latics League debut in the opening day fixture, 25th August 1990, against Mansfield Town at Field Mill. The game ended in disappointment when the Blues returned home following a 0-2 defeat. David was to play just 4+3 League games for Latics scoring once against Grimsby Town in a 2-0 victory at Springfield Park in his penultimate game for the club before being released at the end of the season.
FALLON, Shaun
DOB: 10th September 1970
Other clubs: Bangor City
Shaun had spent many months on the Government’s YTS Scheme for many months before making his Latics League debut on 16th May 1989 against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 16th May 1989, the last day of the 1988/89 League campaign, a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Although Shaun was to stay at the club in a professional capacity for two years he only made 2+1 League appearances for the club without scoring before being released at the end of the 1989/90 season. He was last heard of (by the author) plying his trade with Bangor City in the Northern Premier League
FARNWORTH, Simon
DOB: 28th October 1963
Other clubs: Bolt
on Wanderers, Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers, Bury, Preston North End
Simon arrived at Springfield Park for a fee of £7,500 from Preston North End in the summer of 1993. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the 1993/94 season, 14th August 1993 against Scunthorpe United at Springfield Park. The game resulted in a 0-2 defeat for Kenny Swain’s team. Simon spent three seasons between the sticks at Springfield Park during which time he made 126 League appearances.
He later became the first team physio before moving on to become heavily involved in Liverpool’s Schoolboy Academy. Simon has been a member of the Wigan Athletic Grand Masters team.
FARRELL, Andy
DOB: 7th October 1965
Other clubs: Colchester United, Burnley, Morecambe, Leigh RMI (asst manager), Radcliffe Borough
Honours: Fourth Division Championship winner 1992 (Burnley) Third Division Play Off Final winner 1994 (Burnley)
Andy was signed by Graham Barrow for a fee of £20,000 from Burnley in September 1994. He made his Latics League debut on 24 the September 1994 against Scunthorpe United at the Glanford Stadium in a game which the Blues lost 1-3.
He stayed at Springfield Park for two seasons and he made 51+4 League appearances and scored 1 League goal for the club before joining Morecambe. Ironically, he played against Latics in their first ever game at the JJB Stadium, a friendly on the 4th August 1999 which resulted in a 0-0 draw.
His career ended in 2002 after a two year stint at Leigh RMI and a short stay at Radcliffe Borough where he played alongside ex Latics goalkeeper Dave Felgate.
FARRELLY, Gareth
DOB: 28th August 1975
Other clubs: Home Park FC, Aston Villa, Rotherham United, Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Bradford City, Bohemians (player/manager), Leicester City, Blackpool, Cork City, Warrington Town
Honours: Republic of Ireland Under 21’s (11 caps, 1 goal)
Republic of Ireland (6 caps),
First Division Play-Off Final winner 2001 (Bolton Wanderers)
Gareth arrived at the JJB Stadium on 9th March 2004 from Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. He signed until the end of the 2003/04 season with the option of a longer stay if he proved himself. He made his Latic League debut on 13th March 2004 against Bradford City at Valley Parade. The game resulted in a 0-0 draw and he was substituted by Neil Roberts at half time. Gareth made a bit of club history on the day by becoming the first player to play for and against Latics as a First Division club. Ironically, he played against Latics for Bradford!
However, he failed to impress the manager enough to be kept on for the following season and he left the JJB Stadium at the end of the League campaign. In total he made 2+5 League appearances for the Blues without scoring. His final English football club was Blackpool after being dismissed as player manager of Irish outfit Bohemians on 30th August 2006. He was then released from a short term contract at Bloomfield Road to sign a two-year contract with Cork City and it was whilst with the Irish outfit that he had a tumour removed from his pancreas in May 2008 and this obviously put an end to his playing career.
He did manage five more games for Warrington Town in 2010.
FELGATE, David
DOB: 4th March 1960
Other clubs: Blaenau Festiniog, Bolton Wanderers, Rochdale, Crewe Alexandra, Lincoln City, Cardiff City, Grimsby Town, Bury, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chester City, Leigh RMI, Hyde United, Radcliffe Borough, Bacup Borough, Rossendale United (a/man), Stockport County (g/coa), Manchester City (academy g/coach)
Honours: Wales, (1 cap)
Dave was signed from Chester City as cover for Simon Farnworth on 4th July 1995. He made his Latics League debut on 12th August 1995, the opening day of the season, against Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium which Latics lost 1-2. He was to make just 3 League appearances during his stay at Springfield Park before being released at the end of the 1995/96 season. After retirning from the game as a player he had a short spell as the assistant manager of Rossendale United before a stint as the goalkeeping coach at Manchester City’s youth academy. He is currently (June 2010) the youth academy goalkeeping coach at Manchester City.
A bit of Dave Felgate trivia – did you know that he would have added to his solo international cap, but for the infamous Bobby Sands hunger strike in 1981?
FIGUEROA, Maynor
DOB: 2nd May 1983
Other clubs: Deportivo Victoria, Deportivo Olimpia
Honours: Honduras (87 caps, 3 goals)
Maynor was signed by Steve Bruce on 15th January 2008, after impressing during a month’s trial at the club. His signing was originally a loan spell of six months and the deal was expected to be made permanent. His arrival at the JJB Stadium coinceded with that of his Deportivo Olimpia team mate, Wilson Palacios. He made his Latics Premiership debut as a substitute on 5th April 2008 in a 2-0 home victory over Birmingham City and has appeared for his country twice since signing for the Blues. His next, and only other game during season 2007/08 was the final home game of the season against Manchester United, after which the Red Devils lifted the title following a 2-0 victory over the Blues.
He returned to his former club at the end of the season but on 28th July 2008 he once again signed for Latics in a six month loan deal with a view to the move being made permanent. This was duly done on 23rd December 2008 when he signed a three and a half year contract. As at the end of season 2011/12 his playing record for Latics was 113+2 Premier League games played during which he scored twice.
Maynor is due to represent his country at the London Olympics in the summer of 2012.
FILAN, John
DOB: 8th February 1970
Other clubs: Budapest St George, Cambridge United, Nottingham Forest, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster Rovers, Sydney FC (g/coach)
Honours: Australia Under 23’s (1 cap), Australia, (3 caps),
Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)
John, an Australian International, signed for Latics in a £600,000 deal from Blackburn Rovers on 14th December 2001. The day before he arrived at the JJB Stadium he was set to join Stoke City, Latics’ Second Division rivals on a month’s loan. Manager Paul Jewell acted fast to sign John as both of the Blues’ goalkeepers, Derek Stillie and Stewart Kerr, were injured. John made his Latics League debut against Oldham Athletic on 15th December 2001. The game played at Boundary Park resulted in a 1-1 draw.
By the end of the 2001/02 season he had made 25+0 League appearances for the club, during which time the Blues lost just 4 games. The following season 2002/03 saw John break the all time club record for clean sheets in a League campaign. He kept a total of 25 shut-outs as Latics stormed to the Second Division Championship. By the end of season 2003/04 he had played 117 League games for the club. After announcing during pre season that he would be returning to Australia after the 2004/05 season, it came as a real boost when he signed a one-year contract extension on 2nd November 2004. And unbelievably he was an ever present the following 2004/05 season when Latics achieved their dream of Premiership football.
By the end of that history making season he had made 162 League games for the Blues. It is interesting to note that John was one of EIGHT players who played in the promotion winning game against Reading and the Second Division Championship winning side who played against Barnsley in the final game at the JJB Stadium in 2003.
John, faced stiff competition from Mike Pollitt throughout the following Premiership season and he made 15+0 Premiership appearances before needing a hernia operation which kept him out of the last few weeks of the season. He took part in Latics’ Carling Cup Final when he replaced the injured Mike Pollitt after quarter of an hour of the 0-4 defeat by Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium. By the end of season 2005/06 he had made 177 league appearances for the Blues. On Friday 6th October 2006 John was loaned to Doncaster Rovers after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of England international goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
He was called back to the JJB Stadium a week before his month’s loan spell was up because Mike Pollitt was unable to make the bench for the Bolton Wanderers Premiership game at the Reebok Stadium on 4th November 2006. Filo took his place. He went on to make a further ten Premiership appearances before returning to Australia at the end of that campaign.
At the end of season 2003/04 John became the second goalkeeper in Latics’ Football League history to win the coveted Player of the Year Award. (The first goalkeeper to win the trophy was John Brown back in 1980).
He is currently (May 2011) the manager of Sydney FC.
FITZHENRY, Neil
DOB: 24th September 1978
Other clubs: Chester City, Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps, Leigh RMI, Workington Town, Southport, Burscough
Local lad Neil progressed through the clubs youth system after being spotted playing for one of the Junior Latics teams. He achieved his ultimate dream when on 16th August 1997 he made his Latics League debut. The game was against Bournemouth at Dean Court in which he was a substitute and the Cherries ran out 2-0 winners. He was to suffer horrible luck with a bad knee injury and he was to make just 1+2 League appearances during the League campaign.
Disaster struck the unfortunate lad when, in his comeback match on 13th April 1999, a home clash against Preston North, his knee took another knock. The injury was enough to end his professional career. He joined his old Latics manager Graham Barrow at Chester City on 10th August 2000 after making just 2+2 League appearances without scoring for his hometown club. After spending almost six years studying sports injuries and playing non league football he rejoined the club as part of the medical team at the JJB Stadium on 1st June 2006. On the same day Latics also recruited former Latics boss John Benson and ex Trotter Mark Seagraves to the club’s backroom staff. He is still (July 2011) employed at the club as the youth team physio.
FLYNN, Mike
DOB: 12th October 1980
Other clubs: Newport County, Barry Town, Blackpool, Gillingham, Huddersfield Town, Darlington, Bradford City
Honours: League Of Wales Championship winner 2001 (Barry Town)
League Of Wales Championship winner 2002 (Barry Town)
League Of Wales Cup winner 2000 (Barry Town)
Welsh Cup winner 2001 (Barry Town)
Welsh Cup winner 2002 (Barry Town),
Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)
Mike arrived at the JJB Stadium on 21st June 2002 from League Of Wales outfit Barry Town. The 21- year old could play in a number of positions but his preference was a an attacking midfielder. He signed a two-year contract in a deal that cost the Blues £15,000. He scored 14 times in 45 League games the previous season, during which Barry won the League Championship and the League Cup. He was also instrumental in Wales winning the semi-pro International competition as well. His former club Newport County got £6,000 of the transfer fee. He signed on the same day that David Lowe returned to the club as the new first team coach.
He played his first game for the club against RBC Roosendaal, a Dutch Premier League outfit during a pre season tour of Holland. The game itself resulted in a 0-0 draw. He made his Latics League debut on 17th August 2002 in a game against Bristol City at the JJB Stadium. He came on as a substitute at the start of the second half of the clash which Latics won 2-0. Mike was a very hard worker and always gave his best when out on the pitch but in fairness found it hard to break into the first team squad on a regular basis. By the end of season 2003/04, (Latics’ first in Division One) he had made 26 League appearances, 21 of which were as a used substitute, and he netted once.
On Thursday 19th August 2004 he joined League Two neighbours Blackpool, who at the time were bottom of their table, for a month. On the same day his team mate, Magno Silva Vieira joined Nationwide Conference side Carlisle United in a similar deal. After making 5 League appearances at Bloomfield Road, and originally allowed a further month long stay at the seaside he was recalled by Latics on 17th September 2004 as cover following the career wrecking injury sustained by Per Frandsen. After making just one further League appearance and 12 as a substitute (scoring once in the League) during the 2004/05 League campaign, he joined Championship rivals Gillingham, in a two and a half year deal, on Wednesday 2nd February 2005.
In total he made 5+32 League appearances for the club, scoring 2 League goals. However, Mike goes down in Latics folklore as a member of the squad that took Latics into the Premiership for the first time in their history. He is currently (July 2012), playing for Bradford City
FOLAN, Caleb
DOB: 24th October 1982
Other clubs: Leeds United, Rushden and Diamonds, Hull City, Chesterfield, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Colorado Rapids, Birmingham City
Honours: (Republic of Ireland 7 caps)
Caleb was signed by Paul Jewell from Chesterfield on 26th January 2007 for a fee of £500.000. He made his Premiership debut on 30th January 2007 at the Madejski Stadium, unfortunately Latics were on the end of a 2-3 beating. He went on to play 8+5 Premiership games, scoring 5 in the process as Latics retained their Premiership status courtesy of a last day win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Following just 1+1 more Premiership appearances and the incoming transfers of Rachid Bouaouzan and Marcus Bent, Caleb was signed by Hull City for £1.000.000 on 31st August 2007.
On leaving Latics he saw service with Hull City and it was whilst he was based at the KC Stadium that he had a loan spell with Middlesbrough. He is currently (August 2012) out of the game after a spell with Major League Soccer outfit Colorado Rapids for whom he signed on 16th March 2011 from Hull City. In February 2012 he signed for Birmingham City but he was never included in their first team and was released in July 2012.
FRANCIS, Damien
DOB: 27th February 1979
Other clubs: Wimbledon, Norwich City, Watford
Honours: Jamaica (1 cap)
Damien signed for Latics on 5th August 2005 from Norwich City. He signed a three-year deal and the Canaries received £1.500.000 for his services. However, shrewd Carrow Road boss Nigel Worthington also demanded a further £500,000 dependent on appearances and a further £250.000 should Latics stay in the Premiership. Not content with that but Norwich also wanted 25% of any profit on any future sale! So potentially Damien could be the costliest ever player to play for the club. Ironically it is Latics who replaced Norwich City in the Premiership when the Canaries were relegated at the end of season 2004/05 with Damien an ever present in their side. He made his Latics League debut on 14th August 2005 against Chelsea at the JJB Stadium, a game that Latics lost 1-0.
He made 16+4 Premiership appearances, scoring one lPremiership goal, the winner in a 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. However, on 12th July 2006 he signed for Premiership new boys Watford for a fee that would rise to £1.500.000 dependent upon his form at Vicarage Road. The move was Damien’s third in consecutive seasons to a club that had won promotion to the Premiership!
He is now retired from the game due to injury.
FRANDSEN, Per
DOB: 6th February 1960
Other clubs: B1903 Copenhagen, OSC Lille, FC Copenhagen, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, HB Koge (manager)
Honours: Denmark Under 21’s (21 caps, 8 goals),
Denmark (35 caps),
Danish Cup winner 1995 (FC Copenhagen)
First Division championship winner 1997 (Bolton Wanderers)
Per was signed by Paul Jewell on 24th May 2004. He acted very quickly in snapping up the Danish International after he was released by Premiership neighbours Bolton Wanderers the previous week. He made his Latics League debut on 7th August 2004, the opening day of the new League Championship, in a home game against Nottingham Forest. The game resulted in a 1-1 draw. He was outstanding in midfield where he formed a great partnership with Jimmy Bullard.
He played 9 League games for the Blues, scoring 1 League goal, in which they were unbeaten before tragedy struck on 18th September 2004 in a home League game against Sheffield United. With Latics 3-0 to the good he was injured, rupturing his knee ligaments and his cruciate ligaments. This ended his Latics career. However, he does go down in Latics folklore as a member of the squad that took Latics into the Premiership for the first time in their history.
He is now (January 2012) a football agent in Denmark after a spell managing HB Koge
FRETWELL, Dave
DOB: 18th February 1952
Other clubs: Bradford City, California Sunshine, Northwich Victoria, Mossley, Salisbury City
Honours: FA Trophy winner (Northwich Victoria)
Dave was signed by Ian McNeill on a free transfer from Bradford City, for whom he had played for eight seasons, in October 1978. He made his Latics League debut on 7th October 1978 against Huddersfield Town at Leeds Road. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and for the rest of the season Dave’s place in the first team was assured. He spent three seasons at Springfield Park and indeed was an ever present in season 1979/80.
His final game for the club was on 2nd May 1980 in an away fixture against Scunthorpe United which resulted in a 4-4 draw in what was the Blues’ last match of the season. In total he made 111+1 League appearances without scoring before joining Northwich Victoria in the summer of 1982.
FURLONG, Carl
DOB: 18th October 1976
Other clubs: Cammell Laird, Netherfield Town, Kendal Town, Altrincham, Droylesden, Conwy United, Total Network Solutions, Formby, Colwyn Bay, Runcorn, Caernarfon Town
Carl was a reserve team regular when he made his Latics League debut on 5th March 1994 against Scarborough. He was by far the best Latics player on display at the McCain Stadium on the day, a fact borne out when you consider he was the Blues’ goal scorer in an abject 1-4 defeat.
However, despite his two season stint at Springfield Park he was to make just 2 more substitute appearances before being released at the end of season 1994/95. He has been a member of the Wigan Athletic Grand Masters Team in the past.
FYVIE, Fraser
DOB: 27th March 1993
Other clubs, Aberdeen
Honours: Scotland Under 17’s (14 caps, 3 goals)
Scotland Under 19’s (4 caps)
Fraser became Roberto Martinez’s
first signing of pre season 2012/13 when he captured Fyvie from Aberdeen in July 2012 for a fee of £500,000. The Dons were Fyvie’s only previous club and he was their hottest prospect and Latics beat Fulham to sign him up on a three year deal.
His first game for the club was a pre season friendly against Micheldorf on 24th July 2012, a game the Blues won 3-1. His first competitive game came on 28th August 2012 when he was a used substitute in a 4-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in a Capitol One Cup, second round game. He is still to make his Premier League debut for the Blues.
A bit of Fraser Fyvie trivia – did you know that Fraser is the youngest player to score a goal in the Scottish Premier League?
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