Clayton Fortune

Clayton Fortune
Fortune pictured in March 2011.
Personal information
Full name Clayton Alexander Fortune[1]
Date of birth (1982-11-10) 10 November 1982 (age 42)[2]
Place of birth Forest Gate, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender; midfielder
Youth career
1999–2001 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2006 Bristol City 53 (0)
2005–2006 → Port Vale (loan) 25 (2)
2006–2008 Leyton Orient 10 (0)
2006–2007 → Port Vale (loan) 13 (0)
2008–2009 Darlington 7 (0)
2008 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 1 (0)
2009–2010 Weston-super-Mare 31 (5)
2010–2011 Aldershot Town 7 (0)
2011 Clevedon Town 2 (0)
2012 Mangotsfield United 5 (0)
2012 Chippenham Town 1 (0)
2012–2014 Clevedon Town 37 (7)
2014–2016 Weston-super-Mare 82 (2)
2016–2017 Hereford
2018–2020 Mangotsfield United 24 (0)
Total 306 (10)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Clayton Alexander Fortune (born 10 November 1982) is an English former footballer who played as a defender.

He spent the first six years of his career at Bristol City between 2001 and 2006. He then began two years with Leyton Orient before signing with Darlington in the summer of 2008. Between 2005 and 2007, he also enjoyed two lengthy loan spells with Port Vale. He spent the 2009–10 season with Weston-super-Mare, before returning to the English Football League with Aldershot Town for the 2010–11 season. After leaving Clevedon Town, he missed a season of football; he joined Mangotsfield United in June 2012 before switching to Chippenham Town four months later and then making a return to Clevedon Town. He returned to Weston-super-Mare as a player-coach in June 2014, before joining Hereford in November 2016. He helped Hereford to win the Southern League Division One South & West title in 2016–17 and later returned to Mangotsfield United.

Career

Fortune started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, but left for Bristol City, having never appeared for the former. Signing his first professional contract in March 2001, he made his debut on 4 December 2001, replacing Joe Burnell 82 minutes into a 2–1 win over Peterborough United in the Football League Trophy.[2] He became a first regular for the first time in the 2004–05 season, as City finished one point outside the play-offs.[2]

He had a long-term loan spell with Port Vale from November 2005[3] to the end of the season.[4] During this spell he made several man of the match appearances and scored his first professional goals, netting against Blackpool and Walsall.[2]

Vale manager Martin Foyle planned to buy Fortune in April 2006 and gave the player the club's Young Player of the Year award.[2] A five-figure fee was agreed with City,[5] however, the deal fell through as he rejected personal terms with the club.[6] He then had trials at both Derby County and Queens Park Rangers.[2] Instead he transferred to Leyton Orient in August 2006,[7] unwanted at City.[8] By November 2006, he found himself back at Vale Park, again on loan until the end of the season.[9][10]

The 2007–08 season was spent with Orient, however, he missed much of it due to dislocated shoulder[11] and was released upon its conclusion,[12] allowing him to sign with League Two Darlington.[13][14] He spent November 2008 at Conference side Rushden & Diamonds,[15] making just he once appearances before returning to Darlington. Fortune signed for Conference South side Weston-super-Mare in July 2009.[16] He made a total of 31 appearances, scoring five goals for the club, who narrowly escaped relegation.[2] In July 2010, Fortune signed a one-year contract with Aldershot Town after impressing on trial.[17] He made just three league starts, and was not offered a new contract at the end of the season.[18] He then spent a brief spell with Southern League club Clevedon Town, who were managed by former Vale teammate Mickey Bell.[19]

He signed with Southern League side Mangotsfield United in June 2012, in what was described as a "huge coup for the club".[20] Fortune made his debut for Mangotsfield in a 1–0 home defeat to Cirencester Town on 18 August.[21] On 3 October, he moved up a division to join Chippenham Town, having impressed against the club in an FA Cup clash with Mangotsfield.[22] However, he left the club just four weeks later after playing just two games; manager Nathan Rudge said that he "never really got going with us".[23] He returned to Clevedon Town in November 2012.[19] The "Seasiders" finished 15h in 2012–13 and 17th in 2013–14.

He re-joined former club Weston-super-Mare in June 2014 after manager Mickey Bell appointed him as player-coach.[24] The "Seagulls" finished 17th in 2014–15 and 16th in 2015–16. He served as captain at the start of the 2016–17 season. Still, he was released in November 2016 after new manager Scott Bartlett announced his intention to rebuild the playing squad.[25]

In November 2016, he returned to the Southern League Division One South & West to sign with Hereford, who were managed by former Bristol City teammate Peter Beadle.[26] Despite the "Bulls" winning the 2016–17 title by an 18-point margin, Fortune admitted that he had struggled with injuries throughout the campaign.[27] He was released in May 2017.[28] He rejoined Mangotsfield United for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons.[29]

Style of play

Fortune is strong with good heading ability.[30] Primarily a central defender, he can also play at left-back or in midfield.[30]

Personal life

His father, Everton Richards, was an apprentice at Tottenham Hotspur.[2] His cousin is former Charlton Athletic defender Jonathan Fortune, and his uncle is Leo Fortune-West.[16] He is a first cousin of rapper Kano.[2]

After leaving the professional game as a player, he worked as a football consultant for agency firm Sports Management International.[31]

Career statistics

Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bristol City 2001–02[32] Second Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 2 0
2002–03[33] Second Division 10 0 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 13 0
2003–04[34] Second Division 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 0
2004–05[35] League One 30 0 1 0 2 0 2[a] 0 35 0
2005–06[36] League One 6 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 8 0
Total 53 0 1 0 4 0 7 0 65 0
Port Vale (loan) 2005–06[36] League One 25 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 29 2
Leyton Orient 2006–07[37] League One 9 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 0
2007–08[38] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 10 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 0
Port Vale (loan) 2006–07[37] League One 13 0 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 15 0
Darlington 2008–09[39] League Two 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 2008–09[40] Conference National 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 2 0
Weston-super-Mare 2009–10[41] Conference South 31 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 5
Aldershot Town 2010–11[42] League Two 7 0 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 11 0
Clevedon Town 2011–12[29] Southern League Div. One South & West 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Mangotsfield United 2012–13[43] Southern League Div. One South & West 5 0 2 0 0 0 2[a] 0 9 0
Chippenham Town 2012–13[29] Southern League Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 2 0
Clevedon Town 2012–13[29] Southern League Div. One South & West 22 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 1
2013–14[29] Southern League Div. One South & West 15 0 5 1 0 0 4[d][c] 0 24 1
Total 37 1 5 1 0 0 4 0 46 2
Mangotsfield United 2013–14[29] Southern League Div. One South & West 8 0 0 0 0 0 1[e] 0 9 0
Weston-super-Mare 2014–15[41] Conference South 34 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 36 1
2015–16[41] National League South 34 1 1 0 0 0 2[d] 0 37 1
2016–17[41] National League South 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Total 82 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 87 2
Mangotsfield United 2018–19[29] Southern League Div. One South 23 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 26 1
2019–20[29] Southern League Div. One South 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 24 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 27 1
Career total[f] 306 10 11 1 6 0 24 1 354 12
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy.
  2. ^ Appearance/s in the Northamptonshire Senior Cup.
  3. ^ a b Appearance/s in the Southern League Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearance/s in the FA Trophy.
  5. ^ Appearance/s in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup.
  6. ^ Statistics for Hereford not recorded.

Honours

Hereford

References

  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 153. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "We Say Goodbye to..." theshots.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Fortune joins Vale in loan switch". BBC Sport. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Port Vale recruit Stags full-back". BBC Sport. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Vale and City agree Fortune fee". BBC Sport. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  6. ^ "Fortune rejects Port Vale offer". BBC Sport. 26 April 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  7. ^ "Orient capture defender Fortune". BBC Sport. 2 August 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  8. ^ "Johnson will release five players". BBC Sport. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  9. ^ "Fortune faces swift Vale return". BBC Sport. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  10. ^ "Fortune signs Port Vale loan deal". BBC Sport. 22 November 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  11. ^ "Orient hit by Fortune injury blow". BBC Sport. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  12. ^ "O's boss begins summer shake-up". BBC Sport. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  13. ^ "Darlington sign defender Fortune". BBC Sport. 28 June 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  14. ^ "Fortune hopes for Quakers success". BBC Sport. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  15. ^ "Fortune seals Rushden loan switch". BBC Sport. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  16. ^ a b "Weston get a Fortune". Non-League Daily. 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ "Aldershot manager Dillon completes quadruple signing". BBC Sport. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  18. ^ "Jamie Young stays as seven depart Aldershot Town". BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  19. ^ a b "Player Info". pitchero.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  20. ^ "Signing Coup by Mangotsfield". nonleague.pitchero.com. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  21. ^ "New Look Mangotsfield Slip Up on Opening Day". 18 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  22. ^ "New Keeper and Defender for Chippenham". 3 October 2012. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  23. ^ "Bluebirds lose duo". Non League Daily. 7 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ "Clayton Fortune signs as Player/Coach". westonsmareafc.co.uk/. Archived from the original on 16 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  25. ^ Robins, Sheridan (3 November 2016). "'The club will always have a special place in my heart': Clayton Fortune leaves Weston-super-Mare Football Club". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  26. ^ Watsob, Martin (4 November 2016). "Fortune Favours The Bulls | Hereford FC – The official website of Hereford FC". herefordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  27. ^ a b Rogers, Paul (30 April 2017). "FOOTBALL: 'For some reason it hasn't quite clicked for me here' – Bulls defender Fortune". Hereford Times. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  28. ^ Rogers, Paul (12 May 2017). "RETAINED LIST: Shock as Bulls captain is released". Hereford Times. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h "Clayton Fortune Profile | Aylesbury United FC". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Profile". theshots.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  31. ^ "SMI World · Team Member". smiworld.co.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  32. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  33. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  34. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  35. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  36. ^ a b "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  37. ^ a b "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  38. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  39. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  40. ^ "Clayton Fortune". rdfc1992. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  41. ^ a b c d Clayton Fortune at Soccerway
  42. ^ "Games played by Clayton Fortune in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  43. ^ "First Team – Statistics". mufc-online.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.