Fraser Franks

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Fraser Franks
Franks captaining the England C team in 2014.jpg
Franks captaining England C in 2014
Personal information
Full name Fraser George Franks[1]
Date of birth (1990-11-22) 22 November 1990 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Hammersmith, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1999–2007 Chelsea
2007–2009 Brentford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Brentford 0 (0)
2009–2010 → Basingstoke Town (loan) 13 (2)
2010–2012 AFC Wimbledon 28 (2)
2011 → Hayes & Yeading United (loan) 7 (0)
2012 → Newport County (loan) 1 (0)
2012–2014 Welling United 60 (4)
2014–2015 Luton Town 30 (0)
2015–2018 Stevenage 109 (7)
2018–2019 Newport County 25 (3)
Total 273 (18)
National team
2013–2014 England C 5 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Fraser George Franks (born 22 November 1990) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for AFC Wimbledon, Luton Town, Stevenage and Newport County.

Career[]

Brentford[]

Born in Hammersmith, Greater London,[1] Franks began his career in the youth system at Chelsea.[3] He then joined Brentford as an apprentice in 2007,[4] and was named as a substitute against Swansea City in a League Cup fixture on 12 August 2008.[5] Franks was again an unused substitute for a 2–1 FA Cup defeat away to Barrow on 28 November.[6] He signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2009,[7] though he remained as an unused substitute for the majority of 2009–10 and failed to make an appearance.[8]

In September 2009, after struggling to feature for Brentford, Franks joined Conference South club Basingstoke Town on an initial one-month loan, which was later extended until January 2010.[9] He debuted on 19 September in a 2–1 victory away to Braintree Town and scored his first goal on 24 October in a 2–1 victory at home to Weymouth.[10] Franks' second goal came on 14 November in a 3–2 defeat away to Maidenhead United and completed the loan spell with two goals from 18 appearances.[10] He was not offered a new contract by Brentford and was released by the club in May 2010.[11]

AFC Wimbledon[]

On 29 July 2010, Franks signed a one-year contract with Conference Premier club AFC Wimbledon.[12] He debuted as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2–1 victory away to Kettering Town on 4 September and scored his first goals in a 3–0 victory at home to Cambridge United on 29 September.[13] Franks went on to make 28 appearances in 2010–11,[13] though he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in a 2–1 defeat away to Grimsby Town on 5 March 2011.[14] He required an operation that ruled him out of action for six months, causing him to miss the 2011 Conference Premier play-off Final victory over Luton Town,[15] and the beginning of AFC Wimbledon's first season in the Football League.[14] Despite this, Franks had made enough appearances to trigger a one-year extension clause in his contract, keeping him at the club until the end of 2011–12.[16]

In September 2011, Franks returned from injury and was loaned to Conference Premier club Hayes & Yeading United to gain match fitness.[17] He debuted on 24 September in a 3–2 defeat at home to Gateshead, finishing the loan spell with seven appearances, but turned down the offer to extend the loan for a further month.[13][18] Franks made his return to the AFC Wimbledon starting lineup away to Swindon Town on 8 November in a Football League Trophy tie, the match finishing 1–1 after extra time.[19] He scored the team's only penalty in the 3–1 penalty shoot-out defeat.[19] On 22 March 2012, Franks joined Conference Premier club Newport County on a one-month loan to play regular first-team football.[20] He made his debut and only appearance for the club two days later in a 2–0 defeat away to Lincoln City.[13] The remainder of his loan spell was hampered by injury.[21] After making only five appearances for AFC Wimbledon in 2011–12,[22] Franks was released by the club in May 2012.[23]

Welling United[]

On 19 June 2012, Franks signed for Conference South club Welling United.[24][25] After signing, Welling manager Jamie Day claimed Franks had turned down offers from higher leagues to be guaranteed regular first-team football.[24] He debuted on the opening day of 2012–13 in a 1–1 draw at home to Bath City and scored his first goal in the following match, a 3–2 victory over Chelmsford City.[26] Franks finished the season with 43 appearances and four goals,[26] as Welling won the Conference South title and therefore promotion into the Conference Premier.[27] He was named in the Conference South Team of the Year and signed a new one-year contract shortly afterwards.[28][29] Franks made his first appearance of 2013–14 on the opening day of the season in a 2–1 defeat away to Wrexham and went on to make 29 appearances for Welling during the first half of the season.[13]

Luton Town[]

On 17 January 2014, Franks signed for Conference Premier leaders Luton Town for an undisclosed fee after the club activated a release clause in his contract.[30] Due to bad weather postponing the club's matches throughout much of the rest of January, Franks did not make his debut until 11 February against Macclesfield Town, which finished as a 2–1 victory and was named as man of the match by The Luton News.[31] He made 18 appearances for Luton in the second half of 2013–14,[26] as the club won the Conference Premier title and therefore promotion into League Two.[32] Franks made his first appearance of 2014–15 on 12 August 2014 in a 2–1 defeat at home to Swindon Town in the League Cup first round.[33] He struggled to force his way into the first-team, making just 17 appearances,[33] as Luton finished eighth in League Two,[34] having missed an opportunity to make an impression in the first-team in the absence of first-choice central defenders Luke Wilkinson and Steve McNulty through suspension.[35] After the end of the season, Franks informed the club that he felt his future lay elsewhere and was transfer-listed by manager John Still,[36] before his contract was cancelled a year early by mutual consent on 15 July 2015.[37]

Stevenage[]

On 17 July 2015, Franks signed for Luton's near-neighbours Stevenage.[38] He debuted on the opening day of 2015–16 in a 2–0 defeat at home to Notts County and scored his first goal in a 2–0 victory at home to Hartlepool United on 22 August.[39] Franks finished the season with 42 appearances and three goals,[39] as Stevenage finished 18th in League Two.[40] He was named Season Ticket Holders Player of the Year, BoroChat Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season presentation night.[41] Franks spent three seasons at Stevenage, making 120 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.[42]

Newport County[]

Franks re-signed for fellow League Two club Newport County on 18 June 2018 on a two-year contract.[43] He made his debut on the opening day of the 2018–19 season, starting in the club's 3–0 away defeat to Mansfield Town.[44] Franks scored his first goal for Newport in a 3–2 home win over Notts County on 21 August.[45] He captained Newport in a 2–1 victory at home to Premier League team Leicester City in the FA Cup third round on 6 January 2019.[46]

Franks retired from playing on 21 March 2019, as a result of a heart issue.[47] Franks had made 34 appearances and scored three goals for Newport up to that point in 2018–19.[48] Franks had heart palpitations and chest pains, and had to be taken to hospital by his pregnant wife.[49]

International career[]

In June 2013, Franks was selected for the England national C team and won his first cap in a 6–1 victory over Bermuda.[50] On 19 November 2013, Franks scored his first international goal in a 2–2 draw with Czech Republic U21, a match in which he also captained the team for the first time.[51] Franks went on to earn five caps for the England C team, captaining the side four times, before becoming ineligible due to Luton Town's promotion to the Football League.

Personal life[]

Franks is married to former S Club 8 singer Stacey McClean.[47]

Career statistics[]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brentford 2008–09[52] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009–10[53] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Basingstoke Town (loan) 2009–10[10] Conference South 13 2 2 0 — 3[a] 0 18 2
AFC Wimbledon 2010–11[13] Conference Premier 24 2 2 0 — 2[b] 0 28 2
2011–12[22] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 5 0
Total 28 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 33 2
Hayes & Yeading United (loan) 2011–12[13] Conference Premier 7 0 — — — 7 0
Newport County (loan) 2011–12[13] Conference Premier 1 0 — — — 1 0
Welling United 2012–13[26] Conference South 34 4 5 0 — 4[b] 0 43 4
2013–14[13] Conference Premier 26 0 3 0 — 0 0 29 0
Total 60 4 8 0 — 4 0 72 4
Luton Town 2013–14[26] Conference Premier 17 0 0 0 — 1[d] 0 18 0
2014–15[33] League Two 13 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 17 0
Total 30 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 35 0
Stevenage 2015–16[39] League Two 38 3 2 0 1 0 1[c] 0 42 3
2016–17[54] League Two 41 3 1 0 2 0 2[e] 1 46 4
2017–18[55] League Two 30 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 32 1
Total 109 7 4 0 4 0 3 1 120 8
Newport County 2018–19[48] League Two 25 3 5 0 2 0 2[e] 0 34 3
Career total 273 18 24 0 7 0 16 1 320 19
  1. ^ Two appearances in Hampshire Senior Cup, one in FA Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance in Bedfordshire Senior Cup
  5. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours[]

AFC Wimbledon

Welling United

Luton Town

Individual

  • Conference South Team of the Year: 2012–13[28]
  • Stevenage Player of the Year: 2015–16[41]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Fraser Franks". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Fraser Franks". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  3. ^ Robertson, Gregor. "Newport County player's Wembley dream stolen by heart condition".
  4. ^ "Case study: Fraser Franks" (PDF). League Football Education. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Swansea 2–0 Brentford". Sky Sports. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Barrow 2–1 Brentford". Sky Sports. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  7. ^ "His story: Fraser Franks". League Football Education. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Fraser Franks: 2009/2010". ESPN FC. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  9. ^ Murtagh, Jacob (18 September 2009). "Brentford FC defender goes out on loan". Get West London. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "Fraser Franks appearances: 2009/10 appearances". Basingstoke Town F.C. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Brentford release Mark Phillips and Steve Kabba". BBC Sport. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  12. ^ Murtagh, Jacob (29 July 2010). "AFC Wimbledon snap up trio". Surrey Herald. Guildford. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "F. Franks: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  14. ^ a b Lewis, Matt (6 June 2011). "Dons defender won't be ready for pre-season". Hounslow, Heston & Whitton Chronicle. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013.
  15. ^ a b Marshall, Steve (21 May 2011). "AFC Wimbledon 0–0 Luton Town (4–3 on pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  16. ^ "AFC Wimbledon sign defender Mat Mitchell-King". BBC Sport. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  17. ^ Whitney, Steve (23 September 2011). "Franks loaned to Hayes & Yeading". Pitchero Non-League. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  18. ^ "A–Z of Hayes & Yeading United". Hayes & Yeading United F.C. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Swindon Town 1–1 AFC Wimbledon". Sky Sports. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  20. ^ "Newport County sign defender Fraser Franks on loan". BBC Sport. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Newport County's top loan stars and the worst flops of the last 10 years". South Wales Argus. Newport. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  22. ^ a b "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  23. ^ Murtagh, Jacob (9 May 2012). "Brown lifts the lid on Dons cull". Get West London. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Fraser Franks now has a chance to kick-start his career, says Welling United boss Jamie Day". Kentish Football. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  25. ^ Miles, Greg (20 June 2012). "Franks joins Welling". Kent News. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017.
  26. ^ a b c d e "Player profiles: Fraser Franks". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  27. ^ a b "Welling United seal Blue Square Bet South title". BBC Sport. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  28. ^ a b Doig, Mark (9 June 2013). "Six Kent players in Team of the Year". Kent Sports News. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  29. ^ "Centre back signs new Wings contract". Welling United F.C. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  30. ^ Panting, Matthew (17 January 2014). "Former AFC Wimbledon and Brentford defender Fraser Franks leaves Welling United to join Skrill Premier title favourites Luton Town". KentOnline. KM Group. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  31. ^ Wood, Mark (11 February 2014). "Lethal Gray sends Hatters six points clear". Luton Today. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Luton Town win Conference Premier and Football League spot". BBC Sport. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  33. ^ a b c "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  34. ^ "League Two: 2014/15: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  35. ^ Cunliffe, James (25 February 2015). "Luton Town: Luke Wilkinson poised to return to line-up after stand in defenders miss chance to impress". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
  36. ^ Simmonds, Mike (8 May 2015). "Franks expecting to leave Kenilworth Road this summer". Luton Today. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  37. ^ Simmonds, Mike (15 July 2015). "Franks leaves Luton". Luton Today. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  38. ^ "Fraser Franks: Former Luton Town defender joins Stevenage". BBC Sport. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  39. ^ a b c "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  40. ^ "League Two: 2015/16: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  41. ^ a b Yousif, Layth (16 May 2018). "Stevenage fans' favourite Fraser Franks bows out in gracious style after bidding a fond farewell". The Comet. Stevenage. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  42. ^ "Fraser Franks". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  43. ^ "Fraser Franks joins Newport from Stevenage as Tom Owen-Evans joins Falkirk". BBC Sport. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  44. ^ Penman, Andrew (4 August 2018). "Mansfield Town 3 Newport County 0". South Wales Argus. Newport. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  45. ^ Penman, Andrew (21 August 2018). "Newport County 3 Notts County 2". South Wales Argus. Newport. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  46. ^ Pearlman, Michael (6 January 2019). "Newport County 2–1 Leicester in FA Cup third round". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  47. ^ a b "Fraser Franks: Newport defender retires because of heart problem". BBC Sport. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  49. ^ "'I played Man City on Saturday, by Wednesday I was in hospital' – Fraser Franks". BBC Sport. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  50. ^ Simmonds, Mike (5 June 2013). "Gray skippers England C to huge win in Bermuda". Luton Today. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  51. ^ Simmonds, Mike (20 November 2013). "Hatters duo help England C to Czech Republic draw". Luton Today. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  52. ^ "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  53. ^ "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  54. ^ "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  55. ^ "Games played by Fraser Franks in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2018.

External links[]

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