Peter Fox (born 5 July 1957) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Barnsley, Exeter City, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City.
Playing career Fox was born in Scunthorpe and began his career with Sheffield Wednesday, making his debut aged just 15 years 8 months, a club record in a 2–0 victory over Leyton Orient. Unfortunately for Fox he broke his toe that day and was unable to cement his place in the first team. Following the arrival of Jack Charlton as manager in October 1977, Fox found himself in the reserves, Charlton liked big keepers who could kick the ball long into the opponents half. After spending time out on loan at Barnsley and a summer in the NASL with Team Hawaii, Stoke City paid £15,000 to sign Fox.
After spending the 1978–79 season in the reserves, Fox took over from Roger Jones as number 1 in April 1980 as Stoke battled against relegation. He kept two clean sheets in the final two games which City won to stay up. Taking advice from the experienced Denis Smith Fox was ever present for Stoke in 1980–81 and 1983–84 as he won the player of the year award in 1980–81, 1981–82 and 1989–90. Throughout his 15 years at the Victoria Ground Fox had to fight off competition and almost quit football after he felt he had been branded a cheat after being sent-off for handling outside of his area against Luton Town in September 1982. He was out injured for most of the awful 1984–85 season which saw Stoke relegated with a record low points tally. He was given a testimonial against Everton in 1989 and was appointed captain by Alan Ball in early 1990.
He lost his place under new manager Lou Macari in 1991–92 with Jason Kearton and Ronnie Sinclair being preferred. However, with both being cup-tied, Fox played in the 1992 Football League Trophy Final as Stoke beat Stockport County 1–0. He spent the autumn of 1992 on loan at Northern Irish club Linfield. He was recalled in October 1992 and made his long-awaited 400th league appearance for Stoke. Fox joined Wrexham on loan, but didn't make an appearance as he was again recalled by Stoke to play in the last few matches of the 1992–93 promotion campaign. He was released on a free after making 477 appearances for Stoke and joined Alan Ball at Exeter City. He was named as the Devon side's Player of the Season for 1994 and 1995.
Managerial career Following his release aged 36, he joined Exeter City, initially as player-coach, being made manager in 1995 after the departure of Terry Cooper. His time at the helm at Exeter was one of consistent mid-table mediocrity. The club was never in any serious relegation danger, however. He left St James Park in January 2000, replaced by his assistant Noel Blake.
Personal life His son, David Fox, is also a professional footballer. Fox was taken to court in July 2015 by former Stoke youth-team player George Blackstock who alleged that in the 1980s Fox assaulted and humiliated him in 'dressing-room pranks'. Fox was cleared of the claims in October 2015.
Career statistics As a player Source:
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSheffield Wednesday1972–73Second Division100000—101973–74Second Division000000—001974–75Third Division2001000—2101975–76Third Division2702000—2901976–77Third Division100000—101977–78Third Division000000—00Total4903000—520Barnsley (loan)1977–78Fourth Division100000—10Team Hawaii (loan)1977NASL250———250Stoke City1978–79Second Division100000—101979–80First Division2301010—2501980–81First Division4202020—4601981–82First Division3801020—4101982–83First Division3503010—3901983–84First Division4201050—4801984–85First Division1400020—1601985–86Second Division3701030304401986–87Second Division3905020104701987–88Second Division1700030102101988–89Second Division2902010003201989–90Second Division3801020204301990–91Third Division4403040205301991–92Third Division002040501101992–93Second Division100000000100Total40902203201404770Exeter City1993–94Second Division2604040003401994–95Third Division3101010203501995–96Third Division4601020205101996–97Third Division5000001060Total10806070501260Career total59203103901906810
As a manager TeamFromToRecordGWDLWin %Exeter City4 August 19959 January 2000
Honours Stoke City Football League Second Division: 1992–93; third-place promotion: 1978–79 Associate Members' Cup: 1991–92
Individual Stoke City Player of the Year: 1980–81, 1981–82, 1989–90 Exeter City Player of the Year: 1993–94, 1994–95
References
External links
Team Hawaii stats