One particular ex-Preston North End, Stoke City, Charlton Athletic and Millwall striker joins a club that has based in the ninth tier of English football.
It’s that time of year where we can often see former Premier League and English Football League footballers find themselves at clubs in the non league pyramid.
One of those to do so is Ricardo Fuller, who was most recently on the books at Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich Town.
Ricardo Fuller Hanley’s number 10.
Delighted to get this over the line, more to follow.
More to follow throughout the evening. pic.twitter.com/Et3wKa7dXz
— Hanley Town FC (@HanleyTown66) August 31, 2020
He is likely to make his debut when Hanley Town are in FA Cup action on Tuesday night as they take on Lye Town at home in an extra preliminary round tie.
The 76 capped Jamaican international moved over to England in 2001, where he had early spells with Hearts and Crystal Palace.
Preston then snapped him and he went on to score 27 goals in 58 league game, which caught the eye of Portsmouth who then paid £1million for his services.
Fuller failed to make an impact at Portsmouth and joined rivals Southampton in 2005 before Stoke signed him for £500,000 in August 2006.
He struggled for goals at Fratton Park and had spells at Southampton and Ipswich before moving to Stoke City in 2006.
Fuller soon became a hit with the Potters and stayed with them for six years, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
?#GoalOfTheDay is a fine finish from Fuller pic.twitter.com/UoyLCyhYtu
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 8, 2019
He also played for Charlton Athletic, Blackpool, Millwall and Oldham Athletic before announcing his retirement in 2016.
Though he returned to the football scene three years later and that’s when he opted to join seventh tier side Nantwich Town, and got on the scoresheet a few times whilst playing for them.
Look who scored for Nantwich Town yesterday at the ripe old age of 39 !
The one and only Ricardo Fuller ❤️
Nantwich defeated Stalybridge Celtic 4-2 incidentally.
Footage courtesy of Dabbers TV#Legend #Citysnumber10 #StokeCity pic.twitter.com/qzcPEHi2qp
— Leek TV 2 (@tv_leek) March 3, 2019
FULLER’S PLAYING CAREER:
2001 – Crystal Palace – 8 games (0 goals)
2001–2002 – Tivoli Gardens – 16 games (12 goals)
2001–2002 → Heart of Midlothian (loan) – 27 games (8 goals)
2002–2004 – Preston North End – 58 games (27 goals)
2004–2005 – Portsmouth – 31 games (1 goal)
2005–2006 – Southampton – 31 games (9 goals)
2006 → Ipswich Town (loan) – 3 games (2 goals)
2006–2012 – Stoke City – 182 games (43 goals)
2012–2013 – Charlton Athletic – 31 games (5 goals)
2013–2014 – Blackpool – 27 games (6 goals)
2014–2015 – Millwall – 38 games (4 goals)
2015–2016 – Oldham Athletic – 5 games (0 goals)
2019–2020 – Nantwich Town – 16 games (2 goals)
2020- Hanley Town
National team
1999–2012 – Jamaica – 72 games (9 goals)
There was plenty of reaction from the football community on social media when the ex-Preston, Stoke, Charlton and Millwall striker joins the ninth tier club, take a look at the many tweets posted below along with some more footage of him in action when he was at his best…
Former Premier League and Jamaican International star Ricardo Fuller signs for @HanleyTown66.
Remember when he became a 6’3″ @stokecity Messi against West Ham?
Christ almighty what a goal that is.pic.twitter.com/T07UdCRDfR
— @Wearenonleague (@wearenonleague) September 1, 2020
One of the most naturally gifted footballers I’ve ever seen pull on a Preston shirt. Great to see Ricardo still playing and doing it for the love of the game.
— Stephen Thompson (@PNEste25) August 31, 2020
The same day in 2006 he signed for Stoke City ?#sentinel pic.twitter.com/XukLjkdC5G
— Tony (@71tony_m) August 31, 2020
Guaranteed goals goals goals
— League without Limits (@LeagueLimits) August 31, 2020
Some coup that
— Thomas ferranti (@ferranti_thomas) August 31, 2020
are you fucking serious??
— Dr James Leigh (@JamesLeigh__) August 31, 2020
What a guy.
— Charlie Davall (@IamMrChuckyD) August 31, 2020
I think you will win the league with this legend playing for you
— Shaun Hughes (@burger85hughes) August 31, 2020
Wouldn’t have said no to having him at shields. A proper player. Loved him during his hearts loan back in the day
— Aaron | אהרון (@aaronrinteln) August 31, 2020
The most gifted player ive ever seen live for Preston in my 28 years as a fan.
— ??Carl Reynolds??????? (@CReynolds85) August 31, 2020
Silky player in his day ??
— Richard Gregory (@RGregory23) August 31, 2020

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