Clayton Alexander Fortune (born 10 November 1982) is an English former footballer who played as a defender.
Fortune spent the first six years of his career at Bristol City between 2001 and 2006. He then began two years with Leyton Orient before signing with Darlington in the summer of 2008. Between 2005 and 2007, he also enjoyed two lengthy loan spells with Port Vale. He spent the 2009–10 season with Weston-super-Mare, before returning to the English Football League with Aldershot Town for the 2010–11 season. After leaving Clevedon Town, he missed a season of football; he joined Mangotsfield United in June 2012 before switching to Chippenham Town four months later and then making a return to Clevedon Town. He returned to Weston-super-Mare as a player-coach in June 2014, before joining Hereford in November 2016. He helped Hereford to win the Southern League Division One South & West title in 2016–17 and later returned to Mangotsfield United.
Career Fortune attended St Bonaventure's in Forest Gate, London. He started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, but left for Bristol City, having never appeared for the former. Signing his first professional contract in March 2001, he made his debut on 4 December 2001, replacing Joe Burnell 82 minutes into a 2–1 win over Peterborough United in the Football League Trophy. He became a first regular for the first time in the 2004–05 season, as City finished one point outside the play-offs.
He had a long-term loan spell with Port Vale from November 2005, extended to the end of the season. During this spell he made several man of the match appearances and scored his first professional goals, netting against Blackpool and Walsall. He was named as the club's player of the month for January.
Vale manager Martin Foyle planned to buy Fortune in April 2006 and gave the player the club's Young Player of the Year award. A five-figure fee was agreed with City; however, the deal fell through as he rejected personal terms with the club. He then had trials at both Derby County and Queens Park Rangers. Instead he transferred to Leyton Orient in August 2006, unwanted at City. By November 2006, he found himself back at Vale Park, again on loan until the end of the season.
The 2007–08 season was spent with Orient, however, he missed much of it due to dislocated shoulder and was released upon its conclusion, allowing him to sign with League Two Darlington. He spent November 2008 at Conference side Rushden & Diamonds, making just he once appearances before returning to Darlington. Fortune signed for Conference South side Weston-super-Mare in July 2009. He made a total of 31 appearances, scoring five goals for the club, who narrowly escaped relegation. In July 2010, Fortune signed a one-year contract with Aldershot Town after impressing on trial. He made just three league starts, and was not offered a new contract at the end of the season. He then spent a brief spell with Southern League club Clevedon Town, who were managed by former Vale teammate Mickey Bell.
He signed with Southern League side Mangotsfield United in June 2012, in what was described as a "huge coup for the club". Fortune made his debut for Mangotsfield in a 1–0 home defeat to Cirencester Town on 18 August. On 3 October, he moved up a division to join Chippenham Town, having impressed against the club in an FA Cup clash with Mangotsfield. However, he left the club just four weeks later after playing just two games; manager Nathan Rudge said that he "never really got going with us". He returned to Clevedon Town in November 2012. The "Seasiders" finished 15h in 2012–13 and 17th in 2013–14.
He re-joined former club Weston-super-Mare in June 2014 after manager Mickey Bell appointed him as player-coach. The "Seagulls" finished 17th in 2014–15 and 16th in 2015–16. He served as captain at the start of the 2016–17 season. Still, he was released in November 2016 after new manager Scott Bartlett announced his intention to rebuild the playing squad.
In November 2016, he returned to the Southern League Division One South & West to sign with Hereford, who were managed by former Bristol City teammate Peter Beadle. Despite the "Bulls" winning the 2016–17 title by an 18-point margin, Fortune admitted that he had struggled with injuries throughout the campaign. He was released in May 2017. He rejoined Mangotsfield United for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons.
Style of play Fortune played primarily a central defender and could also play at left-back or in midfield.
Personal life His cousin is former Charlton Athletic defender Jonathan Fortune, and his uncle is Leo Fortune-West.
After leaving the professional game as a player, he worked as a football consultant for agency firm Sports Management International.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBristol City2001–02Second Division10000010202002–03Second Division1000000301302003–04Second Division60001000702004–05League One3001020203502005–06League One6000101080Total530104070650Port Vale (loan)2005–06League One25240—00292Leyton Orient2006–07League One900010001002007–08League One1000000010Total100001000110Port Vale (loan)2006–07League One13010—10150Darlington2008–09League Two7000000070Rushden & Diamonds (loan)2008–09Conference National1000—1020Weston-super-Mare2009–10Conference South31500—00315Aldershot Town2010–11League Two70101020110Clevedon Town2011–12Southern LeagueDivision One South & West2010—0030Mangotsfield United2012–13Southern LeagueDivision One South & West5020—2090Chippenham Town2012–13Southern LeaguePremier Division1000—1020Clevedon Town2012–13Southern LeagueDivision One South & West22100—002212013–14Southern LeagueDivision One South & West15051—40241Total371510040462Mangotsfield United2013–14Southern LeagueDivision One South & West8000—1090Weston-super-Mare2014–15Conference South34120—003612015–16National League South34110—203712016–17National League South14000—00140Total822300000872Mangotsfield United2018–19Southern LeagueDivision One South23000—312612019–20Southern LeagueDivision One South1000—0010Total240000031271Career total306101816024135412
Honours Hereford Southern League Division One South & West: 2016–17
References
External links How to do a 'Clayton Fortune Special' from the BBC