Dianthus

by | Mar 22, 2018 | Dianthus

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For the publisher, see Jo Fletcher Books.

Josephine Julia Fletcher (born 31 December 1980) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Watford.[2] She played at full international level for England. She hails from Malpas, Cheshire and attended Bishop Heber High School.

Club career

Fletcher joined Tranmere Rovers Ladies as an under–18 player.[3] In summer 1998 she left FA Women's Premier League champions Everton for local rivals Liverpool.

Fletcher spent the US 2001 and 2002 seasons playing for Oregon State in the Pac-10 league, playing 39 times[4] In January 2003 she was selected as available to be drafted at the 2003 Women's United Soccer Association player draft.[5]

On returning to England, she re-joined Tranmere Rovers Ladies,[6] where she was coached by Tranmere Rovers' keeper John Achterberg.[7] She moved on to Doncaster Rovers Belles,[8] leaving them to join Birmingham City in June 2004.[9] She left City on joining the Army in 2005, but returned after initial training in October 2005.[10]

In the 2006 close season, Fletcher joined Charlton Athletic Ladies.[11]

But she later made a single appearance for OOH Lincoln Ladies in October 2009, deputising for Kay Hawke who was suspended.[12]

Fletcher signed for Watford in March 2017.[2]

International career

Fletcher played at junior level for England[4] and made her senior debut in February 2005, against Italy.[13] She played eight further games for England, the last being against Denmark in June the same year, having been included in the Euro 2005 Squad.[14] She played in place of the injured Rachel Brown at the start of the tournament, but was replaced by Brown on her return from injury.[15] Her international career effectively ended when she joined an Army Officer Training Scheme,[10] although she was later selected for a training squad.[16]

Fletcher was allotted 158 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[17][18]

Personal life

Fletcher, a Sheffield Wednesday fan,[3] majored in Biology at Oregon State University, having transferred from the University of Kentucky,[19] both times on football scholarships.[4] She returned to the UK after graduating and briefly worked for a pharmaceutical company before joining the Royal Military Academy where she marched in Prince Harry's commissioning parade.[4] In 2005, she graduated with an MSc in Exercise Science and Nutrition from the University of Chester.[20] Her mentor while at Chester was Wendy Owen who had played in England's first national women's football team.[3]

References

  1. ^ "International Alumni Newsletter" (PDF). Oregon State University. Fall 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Jo Fletcher Signs". watford.fawsl.com. Watford Ladies FC. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Jo has sights on Euro glory". Wirral News. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d "Where are they now? – Jo Fletcher". OSU Beavers. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  5. ^ "Fletcher One of Roughly 80 Players Eligible For WUSA draft". PAC-10. 29 January 2003. Retrieved 15 September 2009. [dead link]
  6. ^ "Preview:Bristol City Ladies v Blues Ladies". Birmingham City. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  7. ^ "John Achterberg – Academy for keepers". Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  8. ^ "Jodie to follow the Oregon trail". Women's Football News Archive. 20 May 2004. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  9. ^ "England star Amanda joins the Blues". Women's Football News Archive. 17 June 2004. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  10. ^ a b "Fletcher's Blues lift". Sports Argus. October 2005. Retrieved 15 September 2009. [dead link]
  11. ^ "Charlton come unstuck against Toffees". Charlton Athletic F.C. 20 August 2006. Archived from the original on 11 July 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  12. ^ "Rod left frustrated after Lady Imps draw". Lincolnshire Echo. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  13. ^ "England turn on style to crush Italy". Women's Football News Archive. 18 February 2005. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  14. ^ "England squad guide". BBC Sport. 3 June 2005. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  15. ^ Chris Blackhurst (10 June 2005). "Jo is axed!". Chester Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  16. ^ "Hope whisks her girls away to train in Spain!". Give Me Football. 4 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  17. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  18. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Women's Soccer Hosts L.A. Schools". OSU Beavers. 24 October 2001. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  20. ^ "Alumni Stories". University of Chester Alumni Association. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
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