Bobby Fisher (footballer)

Bobby Fisher
Personal information
Full name Robert Paul Fisher[1]
Date of birth (1956-08-03) 3 August 1956
Place of birth Wembley, England
Playing position Right back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1982 Orient 314 (4)
1982–1984 Cambridge United 42 (0)
1984–1986 Brentford 56 (0)
1986–1987 Maidstone United

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Robert Paul "Bobby" Fisher (born 3 August 1956) is an English retired professional football right back, best remembered for his 9 years in the Football League with Orient, for whom he made 350 appearances and was captain.[1][2] After leaving Orient in 1982, Fisher played for Cambridge United and Brentford, before dropping into non-league football. He later moved into coaching and television.

Playing career

Orient

A right back, Fisher began his career in the youth system at Division Two club Orient, making his debut during the 1972–73 season while still a teenager. He broke into the team in the following season and became the Brisbane Road club's regular left back until 1982. Aside from being named captain,[2] a highlight of Fisher's time with Orient came in April 1978, when the Os' 1977–78 FA Cup run saw them denied a place at Wembley after a 3–0 defeat to Division One side Arsenal in the semi-finals.[3] Orient's relegation to Division Three in 1982 saw Fisher leave the club, after making 350 appearances in 9 years.[2]

Cambridge United

Fisher signed for Division Two side Cambridge United in November 1982.[4] He failed to hold down a regular place in the side and departed in February 1984.[4]

Brentford

Fisher joined Division Three strugglers Brentford in February 1984,[4] becoming new manager Frank McLintock's second signing for the club.[1] His presence in the defence helped stabilise the defence and guide the Bees away from relegation to a 20th-place finish.[1][5] He continued as McLintock's first choice right back until March 1985, when young centre back Keith Millen broke into the team and McLintock moved Danis Salman to right back.[1] Fisher departed Brentford at the end of the 1985–86 season, having made 56 appearances during two and a half years at Griffin Park.[1]

Maidstone United

Fisher closed out his career in non-league football with Conference side Maidstone United.[1]

Coaching career

Fisher was head coach of the Great Britain Over 45s side which won the gold medal at the 2009 Maccabiah Games.[6] He served as assistant to David Pollock of the Open team at the 2013 edition.[7]

Television career

After his retirement from football, Fisher dabbled in acting, making appearances in television series' Space Precinct, Starhunter, Forensic Factor. and The Manageress.[8][9]

Personal life

Fisher is the nephew of former footballer Mark Lazarus and began his career at Orient while Lazarus was winding down his league career with his second spell at the club.[1] Being mixed-race and Jewish, he has spoken about the racism he received from the terraces as a player.[2][10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Haynes, Graham; Coumbe, Frank (2006). Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920-2006. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 57. ISBN 0955294916.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dan Goldsmith. "Former Leyton Orient defender Bobby Fisher reflects on racism in football". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Rippleffect Ltd. "Flashback: Arsenal 3-0 Orient - 1978". arsenal.com. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Barry Hugman's Footballers - Bobby Fisher". hugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  5. ↑ "Football Club History Database - Brentford". fchd.info. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Fun and Games as GB heroes dig in for gold". thejc.com. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Maccabi GB Announce Football Management Team for the 2013 Maccabiah Games". maccabigb.org. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Robert Fisher". IMDb. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "STOCK IMAGE, Cast of the manageress a new channel 4 tv series back row left to right unknown bobby fisher chris walker middle row left to right alan smith mark adams glyn grimstead and ray stewart, UGL_000436A_03,01ASTTTD, UPPA - Search Stock Photos, Images, Pictures, Photography at Diomedia". Diomedia. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Clavane, Anthony (2013). Does Your Rabbi Know You're Here?. Quercus. ISBN 0857388142.
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