Ron Futcher

Infobox Football biography
playername = Ron Futcher


fullname = Ronald Futcher
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1956|9|25|df=y
cityofbirth = Chester
countryofbirth = England
height = height|m=1.83
position = Striker
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1973–1974
1974–1978
1978–1979
1976–1981
1982
1983–1984
1984
1984–1985
1985–1987
1987–1988
1988–1990
1990–1991
1991–1992
clubs = Chester City
Luton Town
Manchester City
Minnesota Kicks
Portland Timbers
Tulsa Roughnecks
NAC Breda
Barnsley
Oldham Athletic
Bradford City
Port Vale
Burnley
Crewe Alexandra
Boston United
caps(goals) = 004 0(0)
120 (40)
017 0(7)
129 (73)
023 (13)
049 (33)
007 0(3)
019 0(5)
065 (30)
042 (18)
052 (20)
057 (23)
021 0(4)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =

Ronald Futcher (born 25 September, 1956 in Chester) is a former professional soccer centre-forward. He was the fourth leading career scorer of the North American Soccer League.

Playing career

Ron Futcher started his professional career with hometown Chester City in the old English Fourth Division, appearing in four first-team games in 1973–74. He played the next four seasons with Luton Town, scoring seven goals in 17 games in the First Division in 1974–75, and 33 goals in 103 Second Division matches in the next three seasons. In August 1978, Futcher transferred to Manchester City and played at Maine Road for one season.

Futcher began playing summers in the NASL in 1976 with the Minnesota Kicks, spending the next five with the team as well. He played with the Portland Timbers for the summer of 1982 and then the Tulsa Roughnecks in '83 and '84. He finished 296 points in 201 career games in the league, including 119 goals. Returning to Europe, Futcher had spells with NAC Breda, Barnsley, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City, and Port Vale before making 57 appearances with Burnley from 1989 to 1991. He finished his professional playing career with Crewe Alexandra, scoring four goals in 21 games in 1991–92.

As a coach he has been involved in college soccer in America, including at Oakland University. Ron is currently at Blackwatch coaching the U-12 Ranger boys in Tampa, Florida.

Futcher's twin brother Paul played some 20 years in the Football League. Another brother Graham also played professionally. All three started with Chester City.

ources

* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=772 "Sporting-heroes.net"]
* [http://www.soccer.acidmouse.com/coach.html UK Soccer Coaching website, where Futcher coaches]
* [http://www.claretsmad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=ED35&id=340612 Futcher Burnley career stats]