Iain Fyfe

Iain Fyfe

Fyfe playing for Sydney FC in 2008
Personal information
Full name Iain Stuart Fyfe
Date of birth (1982-04-03) 3 April 1982
Place of birth Adelaide, Australia
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
Newcastle Jets
Number 26
Youth career
Salisbury United
1999–2000 SASI
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2003 Adelaide City 55 (6)
2003 Enfield City 1 (0)
2003–2004 Sydney Olympic 23 (0)
2004–2005 Hamilton Academical 15 (0)
2005–2009 Sydney FC 88 (4)
2009–2011 Adelaide United 52 (5)
2011–2012 Busan I'Park 8 (1)
2012–2013 Adelaide United 23 (0)
2013–2014 Mes Kerman 14 (0)
2014–2016 Campbelltown City 51 (7)
2016– Newcastle Jets 1 (0)
National team
1999 Australia U-17 10 (1)
2001 Australia U-20 2 (0)
2003 Australia U-23 5 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 November 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 October 2010

Iain Stuart Fyfe (born 3 April 1982) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Newcastle Jets in the A-League.

Club career

On completion of his SASI program in 2000, Iain joined hometown NSL club Adelaide City. After just three appearances off the bench in 2000–01, he broke into the Adelaide first team the following season, making 52 appearances in two years before moving to Sydney Olympic in 2003. He also earned a call up to the Australian Under-23 side for a friendly against Spain, but it would be the only one. Domestically, his move was positive, becoming a key figure for Olympic, playing all-but-one matches of the 2003–04 season.

Scotland

Following the collapse of the NSL after that season, Fyfe went overseas and trialled at various clubs, including Scottish Premier League side Hibernian,[1] before signing for Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Second Division. There he played alongside fellow Australians, David Carney as well as childhood friend and former Adelaide City teammate Scott Tunbridge.[2] Fyfe struggled to break into the Hamilton first team, making only fifteen appearances before being released in early 2005.

Sydney FC

Partnered next to first Mark Rudan and later Jacob Timpano, Fyfe was in the Sydney first XI for much of the A-League season. However he was dropped to the bench for the penultimate round due to inconsistent form. Several strong performances from Rudan kept him there, making only one start and three appearances off the bench in the club's last five games, although a missed match was through suspension. In the A-League grand final, Fyfe played an important role in defending Sydney's 1–0 lead over the Central Coast Mariners, having replaced injured Mark Rudan with 20 minutes remaining.

In the 2006–07 season, Fyfe was shifted to a wide defensive role by new coach Terry Butcher, who opted to play Mark Milligan in midfield rather than his usual right back position. The impact of the move was immediately apparent with Fyfe, goal-less in the previous season, scoring the winning goal against Central Coast in the opening round and netting again in the 3–2 loss to Melbourne Victory a week later. He went on to play every match of the season up until Sydney's semi-final exit. Strong performances led to another call up to the national team, included in the A-League-based Australian side for the 2007 Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait on 16 August 2006, but again did not make an appearance.

During the Pan-Pacific Championship Iain played his 100th competitive game against Major League Soccer Glamour team Los Angeles Galaxy. Sydney went on to lose the match 2–1, with Sydney's goal coming from Brendan Renaud. He was Sydney's most capped player, and most consistent, only missing 3 competitive matches, in the 3 years Sydney have played in the A-League.[3]

Adelaide United

On 24 November 2008, it was announced in November that Iain had signed a contract with Adelaide United commencing April 2009; this brings Fyfe back to Adelaide where he began his career after 5 years playing in Sydney and Scotland.[4][5] Starting all the games in the opening of his first season back at Adelaide, Fyfe's first goal allowed his club to equalise against Wellington Phoenix in round five.[6]

He scored his second goal for Adelaide in a 1–1 draw against Central Coast Mariners in Round 2 of the 2010–11 season.[7] On 14 January 2011, It was announced that Iain would be joining K-league club Busan I'Park FC. His farewell game for Adelaide was meant to be on 29 January 2011 against Central Coast Mariners at Hindmarsh Stadium, but due to a hamstring injury his last game was on 21 January 2011 against North Queensland Fury when they won 8–1.[8]

Busan I'Park

In January 2011, Fyfe joined South Korean club Busan I'Park.[9] Fyfe made his first start and debut for Busan I'Park in their 2–1 away loss to Jeju United in the first week of the 2011 K-League season.

Return to Adelaide United

On 29 February 2012, it was announced that Fyfe had signed a one-year undisclosed contract with club Adelaide United after his contract with South Korea K-League club Busan I'Park.[10]

Mes Kerman

He was linked to a move to the Iran Pro League in summer 2013. On 2 August 2013, Mes Kerman announced that Fyfe will be joined to the team after passing medical test. He officially joined to the team on 10 August and signed a two years contract.[11] He made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Saipa.

Newcastle Jets

In November 2016, Fyfe signed a short-term deal to return to the A-League with Newcastle Jets as an injury replacement for Daniel Mullen, joining from South Australian club Campbelltown City.[12]

International career

Fyfe started his career in 1999, joining a talent identification program at the South Australian Sports Institute, and was soon exposed to the international football stage. He was selected for the Australian U17 side in qualifying matches for the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship and retained his place in the Joeys squad for the final tournament in New Zealand. Australia marched through to the final against Brazil, the match ending scoreless after extra time and proceeding to penalties. Fyfe entered the match as a substitute in extra time to secure the defence, but in the shoot-out he was tasked with Australia's ninth penalty kick. His shot was dramatically saved by goalkeeper Rubinho, allowing Brazil to take the title.

On 16 February 2005, Iain Fyfe returned to Australia became the 16th member of the inaugural Sydney FC squad.[13] Playing at centre back under coach Pierre Littbarski, Fyfe was instrumental in Sydney's qualification for the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship, being named Player of the Tournament for the 2005 Oceania Club Championship.[14] This prompted his inclusion in a Socceroo training camp with new manager Guus Hiddink, and his inclusion on the substitutes bench for the World Cup qualifier against Solomon Islands.

Honours

Club

Sydney FC
Campbelltown City

Country

Australia

Individual

Career statistics

(correct as of 4 February 2014)[16][17]

Club League Season League Playoffs Cup Int'l Cup Total
Apps Gls Apps Gls Apps Gls Apps Gls Apps Gls
Adelaide City NSL 2000–01 30------30
2001–02 230------230
2002–03 20392----295
Sydney Olympic FC NSL 2003–04 230------230
Hamilton Academical F.C. SFL 2004–05 150------150
Sydney FC A-League 2005–06 210204020290
2006–07 212206060352
2007–08 150--30--180
Adelaide United A-League 2009–10 261------261
2010–11 264------264
Busan I'Park K-League 2011 81--70--151
Mes Kerman Pro League 2013–14 110--31--141
Career totals 255 14

'International Cup' matches refer to AFC and Club World Cup competitions.

References

External links

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