| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John William Frain[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1968-10-08)8 October 1968 (age 57) | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2] | ||
| Position | |||
| Youth career | |||
| 1984–1986 | Birmingham City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1986–1997 | Birmingham City | 274 | (25) |
| 1997 | →Northampton Town (loan) | 14 | (1) |
| 1997–2003 | Northampton Town | 205 | (4) |
| 2003–2005 | Moor Green | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2003–2007 | Moor Green (assistant manager) | ||
| 2007–2008 | Solihull Moors (assistant manager) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
John William Frain (born 8 October 1968) is an English former professionalfootballer who played forBirmingham City andNorthampton Town. He played in all four divisions ofthe Football League, making nearly 500 league appearances for his two clubs.
Frain was born inYardley, Birmingham. He joinedBirmingham City from school, made his debut in theFirst Division in April 1986 aged 17, and signed full professional forms in October of that year. He was originally aleft back, but good passing ability and a lack of pace saw him moved intomidfield, towards the end of his Birmingham career returning to left-back. He was the club's free kick and penalty specialist.[3] He was part of the team that won theAssociate Members' Cup in1990-91 and gained promotion from theThird Division in1991–92.[4] He was the club's Player of the Year for 1994.[5] He also appeared in the club's1994–95 Third Division championship-winning season and in the early rounds ofthat year's Football League Trophy.[6] In 1996, he was awarded atestimonial match againstAston Villa in recognition of ten years' service.[7] He made 336 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 28 goals.
In January 1997 Frain joinedNorthampton Town on loan, writing himself into the club's history by scoring a stoppage-time winner from a free kick in that season'sThird Division play-off final.[8] His free-transfer move to the club was made permanent at the end of that season. He later played his part in the club winning automatic promotion back to theSecond Division in1999–2000. He made 248 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 8 goals.
In July 2003 Frain was appointedplayer/assistant manager ofMoor Green. In his first season, he helped the club reach the final of theSouthern League Cup and win theBirmingham Senior Cup, beatingWolverhampton Wanderers in the final.[9] Frain retired as a player at the end of the 2004–05 season due to a persistent knee injury, but retained his assistant manager's post following the merger of Moor Green andSolihull Borough to formSolihull Moors,[7] until he resigned in August 2008.[10]
Frain combined his football duties with working as a mortgage underwriter.[11] His brotherPeter played as aforward forWest Bromwich Albion andMansfield Town.[12]
Whenever Birmingham City play against Northampton Town, the game is dubbed 'The John Frain Derby'
Birmingham City
Northampton Town
Moor Green
General
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