Former Portsmouth, Stoke and Preston striker Ricardo Fuller extends playing career - despite approaching 41st birthday

Former Pompey striker Ricardo Fuller is on the move once again – despite approaching his 41st birthday.
Former Pompey striker Ricardo Fuller Picture: Mick YoungFormer Pompey striker Ricardo Fuller Picture: Mick Young
Former Pompey striker Ricardo Fuller Picture: Mick Young

The much-travelled front man has signed a deal with non-league side Hanley Town as he looks to prolong his playing career.

The ex-Jamaica international, with 72 caps for his country, will line up in the ninth tier for English football next season – the North West Counties League premier division – 19 year after making his debut for Crystal Palace as a 21 year-old.

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It’s a long way from the packed stadiums he would have frequented as a player with the likes of Pompey, Preston, Stoke and Millwall.

His move also comes four years after he officially hung up his boots following a spell at Oldham – his 11th league club in England and Scotland – although he did have a recent spell at Nantthwich Town in the Northern Premier League premier division.

Fuller’s time at Fratton Park was a short-lived one, following his reported £1m move from Preston in the summer of 2004, where he netted 31 goals in 63 appearances.

He played 37 times for the Blues during the 2004-05 Premiership season.

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But he was unable to repeat the goalscoring prowess he showcased at Deepdale, registering one goal in his solitary season at Fratton Park.

Indeed, playing second fiddle to the likes of Yakubu and LuaLua, the majority of his Pompey appearances came from the bench, restricting his minutes on the pitch.

He slipped further down the pecking order under manager Alain Perrin, and was eventually reunited with the boss who brought him to the south coast, Harry Redknapp, at Southampton in July 2005.

In total, Fuller made 487 league appearances in England and Scotland, scoring 120 goals.

He could make his Hanley debut tonight, with his new club taking on Lye Town in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

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