Full name Scott Brian Fitzgerald Years Team Height 1.83 m | Playing position Role Football player Name Scott Fitzgerald Position Defender | |
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Date of birth (1969-08-13) 13 August 1969 (age 46) | ||
Scott Brian Fitzgerald (born 13 August 1969 in London) is an English-born Irish football coach, best remembered for his spells as a player with Wimbledon, Millwall and Colchester United. He won one cap for Republic of Ireland B at international level. After retiring as a player with Brentford in 2005, Fitzgerald began his career in coaching, heading the youth teams at Brentford, Gillingham and Millwall. He had a spell as a first team manager at Brentford during the 2006–07 season. Fitzgerald is currently academy manager at Millwall.
Contents
- Wimbledon
- Sheffield United loan
- Millwall loans and permanent transfer
- Colchester United
- Brentford loan and permanent transfer
- Brentford
- Gillingham
- Millwall
- International career
- References
Wimbledon
A central defender, Fitzgerald signed professional forms for Division One side Wimbledon at the start of the 1987–88 season, but did not make his debut for nearly three years, coming on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur on 28 April 1990. He did not play again until the 1991–92 season, when he played in 36 Division One games and scored his first goal for the club. Fitzgerald made 20 appearances during the inaugural Premier League season and made 28 appearances during the 1993–94 campaign. Fitzgerald made only 17 appearances during the 1994–95 season and lost his place in the team during 1995–96, making only four appearances. He failed to appear at all during the 1996–97 season and left the Dons in July 1997. Fitzgerald made 125 appearances and scored one goal during his decade as a professional with Wimbledon.
Sheffield United (loan)
Fitzgerald moved to Division One side Sheffield United on loan 23 November 1995, making six appearances.
Millwall (loans and permanent transfer)
Fitzgerald joined Division Two side Millwall on a one-month loan on 11 October 1996, making seven appearances before his loan expired. He returned to the Lions for a second one-month loan on 24 December 1996, but failed to make an appearance before his loan expired. Fitzgerald signed for Millwall permanently on 29 July 1997 for a £50,000 fee. Over the following three seasons, Fitzgerald made 93 appearances and scored one goal, which came with an injury time winner in a 2–1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers on 15 August 1998. Fitzgerald departed the club on 19 October 2000, having lost his place in the team and making only one appearance during the 2000–01 season.
Colchester United
Fitzgerald joined Division Two side Colchester United on 19 October 2000 on a free transfer. He remained with the club until 11 June 2004, when he was released. Over the course of his time with the Us, Fitzgerald made 128 appearances and scored no goals.
Brentford (loan and permanent transfer)
Fitzgerald joined Division Two side Brentford on loan on 16 March 2004 and played an important role in the Bees' successful battle against relegation in the 2003–04 season. He signed a permanent contract on 11 June 2004, though he rarely featured in the side during the 2004–05 season. The final appearance of Fitzgerald's career came in the last game of the regular season, playing alongside fellow veteran Andy Myers in defence in a 2–1 victory over already-promoted Hull City. Fitzgerald retired at the end of the campaign, following Brentford's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the League One playoff semi-finals. He made 24 appearances during his time with the Bees.
Brentford
Fitzgerald was handed the role of assistant youth team manager by first team boss Martin Allen in October 2004, while still a first team player. He was promoted to youth team manager upon his retirement from football in the summer of 2005. He left his role as youth team manager upon being appointed first team manager in November 2006 and departed the club in April 2007.
Gillingham
Fitzgerald was appointed youth team manager at League One side Gillingham in July 2007. He worked in the role for four months before leaving the club in December 2007. Upon his departure, he said "The chairman has been fantastic to me and the new manager has been great. I really believe the first team are going places".
Millwall
Fitzgerald was named youth team manager at former side Millwall in December 2007. Upon his arrival, he said "I was desperate to coach a team up against the best and in Millwall's division they play Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham". In 2012, Fitzgerald oversaw Millwall youth development system transfer to a Category Two academy. Fitzgerald is currently academy manager with the Lions.
Brentford
Fitzgerald became caretaker manager of League One side Brentford on 18 November 2006, following the sacking of Leroy Rosenior. The position was made permanent on 21 December 2006. Despite a brief improvement in fortunes in February 2007, Brentford were relegated from League One following a 3–1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra on 9 April 2007. Fitzgerald's contract was terminated a day later and he departed the club. Looking back in November 2009, Fitzgerald stated that "the experience has put me off managing a league club again".
Millwall
On 26 December 2013, Fitzgerald and Development Squad manager Neil Harris were appoint joint-caretaker managers following the sacking of Steve Lomas. Fitzgerald ruled himself out of the running for the manager's job the following day. The pair managed to muster just one point from their three Championship games in charge and returned to their original roles on 6 January 2014, following the appointment of Ian Holloway.
International career
Fitzgerald was a Republic of Ireland B international.