Doug Fraser (Scottish footballer) explained

Doug Fraser
Fullname:Douglas Michael Fraser
Birth Date:8 December 1941
Birth Place:Aberdeen, Scotland
Position:Full back
Years1:1960–1963
Years2:1963–1971
Years3:1971–1973
Years4:1973–1974
Clubs1:Aberdeen
Clubs2:West Bromwich Albion
Clubs3:Nottingham Forest
Clubs4:Walsall[1]
Caps1:64
Goals1:1
Caps2:257
Goals2:8
Caps3:85
Goals3:3
Caps4:27
Goals4:0
Totalcaps:433
Totalgoals:11
Nationalyears1:1967–1968
Nationalteam1:Scotland
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1974–1977
Managerclubs1:Walsall

Douglas Michael Fraser (born 8 December 1941 in Aberdeen) is a Scottish former football full-back.

Fraser began his career in Scottish minor football, appearing for Eaglesham Amateur and Blantyre Celtic.[2] After being rejected by both Celtic and Leeds United, following trials Fraser turned professional with Aberdeen. Fraser's form attracted the attentions of English clubs and in September 1963 West Bromwich Albion manager Jimmy Hagan paid £23,000 for his signature. Making his debut against Birmingham City that same month, Fraser initially played in a number of defensive and midfield positions before making the right back slot his own.[3] Fraser played in four cup finals during his time at The Hawthorns.[3] His final Albion game was a 2–2 draw against Chelsea in November 1970 before manager Alan Ashman sold him to Nottingham Forest for £35,000.[3] He would later play for Walsall where he hit the headlines after he was red carded for fighting with Bristol Rovers' Kenny Stephens - a former Albion teammate.[3]

During his time with West Brom, Fraser made seven appearances for the Scotland national team. He made two appearances in 1968, against Cyprus and the Netherlands. The other five appearances were during a 1967 overseas tour that the Scottish Football Association decided in October 2021 to reclassify as full internationals,[4] which increased Fraser's cap tally from two to seven.

After his retirement from playing Fraser was appointed manager at Walsall, a position he held until 1977. Following this Fraser left football and took up a position as a prison guard at Nottingham Gaol.[2]

Career statistics

Club

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonsLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aberdeen1959–60Scottish Division One10000000--10
1960–61Scottish Division One240100000--250
1961–62Scottish Division One280516000--391
1962–63Scottish Division One80005000--130
1963–64Scottish Division One31006000--91
Total6416117000--872
West Bromwich Albion1963–64First Division331400000--371
1964–65First Division330100000--340
1965–66First Division421109200--523
1966–67First Division354207240--486
1967–68First Division4011001000--511
1968–69First Division34150206010481
1969–70First Division340109000--440
1970–71First Division60001000--70
Total25782402941001032112
Nottingham Forest1970–71First Division190--------19+0+
1971–72First Division360--------36+0+
1972–73Second Division303--------30+3+
Total853--------85+3+
Walsall1973–74Third Division270--------27+0+
Career total4331230+1+46+4+10010520+17+

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!Year!Apps!Goals
Scotland196750
196820
Total70

Managerial record

Honours

West Bromwich Albion

1967–68[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. B.J. Hugman, Rothmans Football League Players Records The Complete A-Z 1946-1981, 1981, p. 145
  2. T. Matthews, West Bromwich Albion - The Complete Record, 2007, p. 111
  3. G, Willmore, The Hawthorns Encyclopedia, 1996, p. 78
  4. Web site: Former Scotland players to be recognised with international caps including Sir Alex Ferguson . www.scottishfa.co.uk . Scottish Football Association . 9 October 2021 . 10 October 2021.
  5. Book: Leslie . Jack . Vernon . Rollin . Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 . 1977 . Brickfield Publications Ltd . London . 0354 09018 6 . 491.