James Rodney Fletcher (23 September 1945 – 24 November 2023) was an English professional footballer who scored 60 goals from 201 games in the Football League playing as a centre forward for Crewe Alexandra, Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town.[3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Rodney Fletcher | ||
| Date of birth | 23 September 1945 | ||
| Place of birth | Preston, England | ||
| Date of death | 24 November 2023 (aged 78)[1] | ||
| Place of death | Grimsby, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 196?–1962 | Nelson | ||
| 1962–1964 | Leeds United | 0 | (0) |
| 1964–1966 | Madeley College | ||
| 1966–1967 | Crewe Alexandra | 1 | (0) |
| 1967–1971 | Lincoln City | 90 | (29) |
| 1971–1973 | Scunthorpe United | 98 | (30) |
| 1973–1975 | Grimsby Town | 12 | (1) |
| 1975-1977 | Immingham Town | ||
| Louth United | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1975-1977 | Immingham Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editFletcher was born on 23 September 1945 in Preston, Lancashire.[4] He played for Nelson in the Lancashire Combination before turning professional with Leeds United in 1962. After two years playing for Leeds' junior teams he began a teacher training course, and in his final year played for Crewe Alexandra where he made his debut in the Football League. Fletcher signed on a part-time basis for Lincoln City while working in his first teaching post in nearby Grimsby. He scored regularly for the reserves but only established himself in the first team towards the end of the 1968–69 season.[4] The following year he was the club's top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions and played in every game.[5]
When managerial changes left Fletcher out of favour, he joined Scunthorpe United in 1971 for a £3,000 fee, to replace Kevin Keegan who had joined Liverpool.[4] Still combining his football and teaching careers, Fletcher was ever-present in the 1971–72 season. His 19 goals helped Scunthorpe to the Third Division title and made him the club's leading scorer, a feat he repeated the following season, though with only 10 goals as they were relegated.[6] He finished his professional career with two injury-hit seasons at Grimsby Town before being released on a free transfer.[7] In May 1975, he was appointed player-manager for Immingham Town agreeing a two-year contract.[8] He resigned from the post in June 1977 due to increased work commitments from a new job as PE Master at the newly opened Humberston Comprehensive School[9] and later played for Louth United.[4]
Death
editFletcher died on 24 November 2023 and a celebration of his life was held on 13 December 2023.[1] He was 78.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Jackson, Sofie (10 December 2023). "Death notices and funeral announcements from Grimsby and Scunthorpe Telegraph". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ Butler, Frank; Collins, Patrick, eds. (1973). News of the World Football Annual 1973–74. p. 318.
- ^ "Rod Fletcher". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d "#97 – Rod Fletcher". League Legends. Lincoln City F.C. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ "Rod Fletcher". The Lincoln City FC Archive. Lincoln City F.C. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010. Access individual season statistics via Season Stats dropdown menu at foot of right-hand sidebar.
- ^ "The Iron Alphabet". Scunthorpe United F.C. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Roy Line (28 April 1975). "Free transfer for three Town players, p16". Grimsby Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Rod Fletcher gets Immingham job, p16". Grimsby Daily Telegraph. 7 May 1975.
- ^ "Rod Fletcher player-manager of Immingham Town for the last two years who has resigned because of increased commitments, p10". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. 14 June 1977.
- ^ Moody, James (28 November 2023). "In memoriam: Rod Fletcher". Scunthorpe United F.C. Retrieved 28 November 2023.