Michael Fraser (footballer)

Michael Alan Fraser (born 8 October 1983) is a Scottish former football goalkeeper. During his career he played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Motherwell, Montrose, Birkirkara, Ross County and Elgin City.

Michael Fraser
Personal information
Full name Michael Alan Fraser
Date of birth (1983-10-08) 8 October 1983
Place of birth Inverness, Scotland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2009 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 73 (0)
2009–2010 Motherwell 5 (0)
2010 Montrose 1 (0)
2010–2011 Birkirkara 15 (0)
2011–2014 Ross County 70 (0)
2014–2015 Elgin City 16 (0)
Total 180 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:18, 31 July 2015 (UTC)

Club career

Fraser was born in Inverness, and signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2002. He was previously a talented shinty player with Glenurquhart Shinty Club but gave up the sport to pursue his professional ambitions.[1] His first team breakthrough came when Mark Brown signed for Celtic in January 2007.[2] Fraser made a memorable save in a 3–2 home win over Celtic the following season and was first-choice at Inverness until he conceded five goals against Rangers on 1 November 2008, after which he was dropped in favour of Ryan Esson.

Fraser signed a pre-contract with Motherwell on 19 January 2009, and joined the club in the summer.[3] He made his Motherwell debut in the UEFA Europa League qualifying defeat against Llanelli but rarely featured for Motherwell due to the arrival of John Ruddy on loan from Everton. The following season new signing Darren Randolph took the position of first-choice goalkeeper during Motherwell's pre-season and UEFA Europa League matches, again confining Fraser to the bench. On 31 August 2010, Fraser was released by Motherwell as he did not feature in the clubs plans.[4]

Fraser appeared as a trialist for Third Division team Montrose in a match against Albion Rovers.[5] However, Fraser left the club only a few days after in search of full-time football, something that Montrose could not provide, despite being willing to sign the player permanently.[6] On 11 October 2010, Fraser was registered with Maltese Premier League champions, Birkirkara.[7] He left the club at the end of the season.[8]

On 10 June 2011, Fraser returned to Scotland and joined Ross County of the First Division.[9] In his first season at the club, he played in every league match as Ross County won the First Division and were promoted to the Scottish Premier League for the first time. It was confirmed on 21 May 2013, that Fraser had been handed a contract extension as a reward for the fifth-placed finish in the SPL.[10] Fraser was released by the club in May 2014.[11]

On 17 June 2014, Fraser signed a one-year contract with Elgin City.[12]

In April 2015, Fraser retired from football and returned to playing shinty for Glenurquhart Shinty Club.[13]

Career statistics
As of 31 July 2015[14][15]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Inverness 2002–03 0000000000
2003–04 0000000000
2004–05 2000000020
2005–06 1000000010
2006–07 160200000180
2007–08 360102000390
2008–09 180100000190
Total 730402000790
Motherwell 2009–10 5000004090
2010–11 0000000000
Total 5000004090
Montrose 2010–11 1000000010
Birkirkara 2010–11 150100000161
Ross County 2011–12 360303010430
2012–13 240000000240
2013–14 100000000100
Total 700303010770
Elgin City 2014–15 160401010220
Total 180012060602040
A. ^ Other includes Scottish Challenge Cup and Europa League.

References
  1. "We caught up with the man who keeps rewriting the shinty record books... (Ed. 10)". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  2. "Celtic sign up goalkeeper Brown". BBC Sport. 18 January 2007.
  3. "Motherwell tie up deal for Fraser". BBC Sport. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  4. "Motherwell dismiss Swansea's bid for Mark Reynolds". BBC Sport. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  5. "Albion Rovers 3-1 Montrose". BBC Sport. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  6. "Fraser leaves Montrose with thanks". spfl.co.uk. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  7. "Birkirkara sign on Michael Fraser". birkirkarafc.com. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  8. "Club's decisions about resignation and contracts". birkirkarafc.com. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  9. "Stuart Balmer to assist Derek Adams at Ross County". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  10. "Adams hands contract to nine players". football365. 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
  11. Thomson, Andrew (15 May 2014). "Michael Fraser: Out of contract goalkeeper leaves Ross County". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  12. "Elgin City land Michael Fraser". The Northern Scot. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  13. Skinner, Andy (30 April 2015). "Former Caley Thistle and Ross County goalkeeper signs for…. A shinty team!". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  14. "Michael Fraser Career stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  15. "Michael Fraser Profile". Birkirkara F.C. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
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