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English footballer (1931–2020) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Alfred Fletcher (10 November 1931 - 22 November 2020) was an English former footballer of the 1950s and 1960s, who played professionally for Gillingham and as a semi-professional for various clubs in Kent. After retiring from football he became a successful breeder of racing greyhounds.[2]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | James Alfred Fletcher | ||
Date of birth | 10 November 1931 | ||
Place of birth | Wouldham, England | ||
Date of death | 22 November 2020 89) | (aged||
Position(s) | Inside forward | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
Wouldham | |||
Chatham Town | |||
Faversham Town | |||
Maidstone United | |||
1957–1958 | Gillingham | 23 | (8) |
1958–1959 | Southend United[1] | 0 | (0) |
1959–1960 | Gravesend & Northfleet | ||
1960–1962 | Dartford | ||
1962–1963 | Margate | ||
1963–1964 | Dover | ||
International career | |||
England Amateur | 2 | (0) | |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Born in the village of Wouldham in Kent, Fletcher began his career with the local team before joining Chatham Town of the Kent League. He subsequently played for other Kent-based non-league clubs Faversham Town and Maidstone United, where he was a leading goalscorer in the Corinthian League and was twice chosen to play for the England national amateur team.[3]
In 1957 he turned professional with Gillingham of the Football League Third Division South and made his debut in the first game of the 1957–58 season, partnering Ron Saunders in attack.[4] He failed to gain a regular place in the Gills' first team and left the club at the end of the season to join Southend United.[3] He spent six months at Roots Hall but never played for the club's first team.[1] In January 1959 he returned to the non-league scene, joining Gravesend & Northfleet of the Southern Football League, and later played for Dartford, Margate and Dover.[3]
After retiring from football in 1964, Fletcher became a successful breeder of racing greyhounds and went on to win large amounts of money betting on his dogs. His greatest success came in 1991, when his consortium won £200,000 on a high-profile race at Wimbledon Stadium.[3] In 2001, he lived in Sutton Valence near Maidstone and still regularly attended greyhound races.[3]
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