Curtis Fleming

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Curtis Fleming (born October 8, 1968 in Manchester, UK) is a former Irish international footballer. Fleming played right back and won international honours for the Republic of Ireland at under-21, under-23, 'B' and senior level. He started his career with St. Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland and spent the majority of his career with Middlesbrough. Although born in Manchester, Fleming was raised in Dublin and spent only months in Manchester.

Contents 1 St. Patrick's Athletic 2 Middlesbrough 3 After Middlesbrough 4 Honours 5 References 6 External links

[edit] St. Patrick's Athletic

Fleming was signed by Brian Kerr for St. Patrick's Athletic in the summer of 1987. He was one of a number of young players signed as Kerr sought to build a squad that could challenge for honours. In his first season he ousted former international player Eamonn Gregg from the first eleven and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the league. He won 4 caps for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side and was the only home based player when playing for the Republic of Ireland under-23 side against Northern Ireland in April 1989. At the end of the 1988/89 season Fleming a short loan period with Swindon Town but returned having not played for the first team. After finishing second in his first season, Fleming won the league with St. Pat's in 1989/90 season and earned the moniker Black Pearl of Inchicore Mark II (See Paul McGrath and Paul Osam). In November 1990 he was awarded the FAI's Under-21 Player of the Year award.

[edit] Middlesbrough

Lennie Lawrence signed Fleming for Middlesbrough in the summer of 1991 and Fleming helped Middlesbrough gain promotion to the newly formed F.A. Premier League in his first season. After being relegated, it took 'Boro' until 1995 to be promoted again, this time with Bryan Robson in charge the won the first division title. As Middlesbrough alternated between Premiership and First division, Fleming remained a constant in the side and made his international debut for Ireland in Prague against the Czech Republic national football team on April 29, 1996 (and in the process netting St. Patrick's Athletic another £50,000 as part of his transfer deal). He would go on to win 10 caps under Mick McCarthy. As part of Robson's highly paid squad Fleming played in the League Cup finals in 1997 and 1998 and the FA Cup Final in 1997. Unfortunately Fleming would not earn another winners' medal. On August 5 2001, Middlesbrough played Athletic Bilbao in a testimonial match for Fleming. He would end up playing 248 league games for Middlesbrough before finally moving on.

[edit] After Middlesbrough

Fleming went on loan to Birmingham City in November 2001, playing 6 games for them. He signed for Crystal Palace in December 2001. Unfortunately for Fleming injuries would curtail his involvement at Palace, although Ian Dowie was impressed enough to make him club captain. After two and half seasons at Crystal palace, Fleming moved back to the North East England and joined Darlington F.C. until the end of the 2004/05 season. Fleming briefly joined Shelbourne F.C. in the League of Ireland (managed by former St. Patrick's Athletic colleague Pat Fenlon, but at the end of the Irish 2005 season, Fleming officially retired.

He later went on to work as a pundit on Setanta Sports for a period during 2006 and was rumoured to have been associated with the position of assistant manager to Pat Fenlon, under whom he played at Shelbourne FC, at Derry City FC of the FAI National League. His playing career has continued at an amateur level, with Fleming appearing regularly in the 2006/07 season for Northern League side Billingham Synthonia as a central defender.

[edit] Honours

• League of Ireland Championship
  • St Patrick's Athletic - 1989/90

• Football League First Division
  • Middlesbrough F.C. - 1994/95

• International Honours
  • 10 full caps for Republic of Ireland
  • Multiple youth, under-21, under-23 and 'B' caps

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Fleming's UK statistics at soccerbase