view Digby's match-by-match record
 
Fraser DIGBY

Another one of Macari's legendary signings - Digby is a Town hero, and at his peak, was arguably the best stopper outside of the top flight.

Digby originally joined the club on loan from Manchester United late in the 1985/1986 season. Though he didn't make any first team appearances that year, Macari had seen enough, and he purchased him early the following year. He was handed his debut in a home match with Rotherham on 27th September 1986, after Kenny Allen had conceded six in the previous home game. Digby kept a clean sheet, and went on to miss just two more matches that year, after being sent off in a Freight Rover Trophy semi final. At the end of the season, he was named the Evening Advertiser Fans' Player of the Season, as the Town were promoted to Division Two, following the Play-Off final with Gillingham.

The following season was slightly interrupted by injury, but 1988/1989 and 1989/1990 saw Digby as an ever-present - the last game of which was the ill-fated Play-Off final win over Sunderland at Wembley.

After Glenn Hoddle took over as manager, Digby lost his place in the side for a period, as Hoddle inexplicably seemed to prefer Nicky Hammond as his number one choice. For the next two seasons, Hammond and Digby fought it out for the keeper's jersey - a battle which Digby eventually won, making 57 appearances to Hammond's 38. Digby also kept goal in the 1993 Play-Off final at Wembley, helping the Town to finally win promotion to the Premier League.

Injuries hampered his opportunities in the Premier season, as Swindon became involved in a goalkeeping crisis - the Town played four different keepers, and two others sat on the bench. Digby made 28 appearances, and though the Town were getting thumped week after week, the general consensus was that without Digby, it could have been much worse.

After Steve McMahon took over the reins, and after Hammond left, Digby again found himself battling for the keeper's jersey - firstly with loan signing Shay Given, then with Frank Talia. He helped the Town to the Second Division championship, and stayed for two more seasons, before a public disagreement with McMahon led to his contract not being renewed. He left the club at the end of the 1997/1998 season, joining Crystal Palace on a free transfer.

PLAYING RECORD:

Season LEAGUE FA CUP LEAGUE CUP OTHER TOTAL
Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls
'97/'98 38 - 1 - 1 - - - 40 -
'96/'97 31 - 1 - - - - - 32 -
'95/'96 25 - 6 - 2 - 3 - 36 -
'94/'95 39 - - - 6 - 2 (+1) - 47 (+1) -
'93/'94 28 - - - 2 - - - 30 -
'92/'93 36 - - - 1 - 2 - 39 -
'91/'92 21 - 1 - 3 - 1 - 26 -
'90/'91 41 - 3 - 3 - 1 - 48 -
'89/'90 48 - 1 - 8 - 3 - 60 -
'88/'89 48 - 4 - 2 - 1 - 55 -
'87/'88 31 - - - 4 - 2 - 37 -
'86/'87 44 - 4 - 1 - 5 - 54 -
TOTAL 430 - 21 - 33 - 20 (+1) - 504 (+1) -


TRANSFER INFORMATION:

DATE IN/OUT TRANSFER DETAIL
25 MAR 1986 IN Manchester United
(loan)
24 APR 1986 OUT Manchester United
(loan return)
25 SEP 1986 IN Manchester United
(loan)
23 DEC 1986 IN Manchester United
£32,000
4 NOV 1992 OUT Manchester United
(loan)
30 DEC 1992 IN Manchester United
(loan return)
6 AUG 1998 OUT (released)
» Crystal Palace


full name

Fraser Charles Digby


 ENGLAND
U-21 international apps

5 apps(5 apps whilst at Swindon)

youth international apps


schoolboy international apps



date of birth
23 April 1967


             
             
             
             
             
           

usual positions
goalkeeper

youth career
Manchester United

senior career
Manchester United
Oldham Athletic (loan)
SWINDON TOWN
Manchester United (loan)
Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town
Queens Park Rangers
Purfleet
Kidderminster Harriers

SWINDON TOWN
commercial manager
goalkeeping coach

Worcester City
player

Cirencester Town
player

Juventus
player

SWINDON TOWN
goalkeeping coach

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