.jpg) Fuller in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Barry Marc Fuller[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1984-09-25)25 September 1984 (age 41)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Ashford,Kent, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Ashford United | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1997 | Stanhope Rangers FC | ||
| 1997 | Kennington Juniors FC | ||
| 1997–2004 | Charlton Athletic | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Charlton Athletic | 0 | (0) |
| 2006 | →Barnet (loan) | 15 | (1) |
| 2006–2008 | Stevenage Borough | 61 | (1) |
| 2008–2012 | Gillingham | 134 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Barnet | 39 | (0) |
| 2013–2018 | AFC Wimbledon | 205 | (1) |
| 2018–2020 | Gillingham | 69 | (1) |
| 2020–2025 | Dorking Wanderers | 98 | (2) |
| 2024–2025 | →Ashford United (loan) | 19 | (2) |
| 2025– | Ashford United | 10 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2007 | England C | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:38, 22 November 2025 (UTC) | |||
Barry Marc Fuller (born 25 September 1984) is anEnglish professionalfootballer who plays as adefender forIsthmian League South East Division clubAshford United.
He previously played forStevenage Borough, forming part of the squad that won the2006–07 FA Trophy in the first competitive final at the newWembley Stadium after they beatKidderminster Harriers 2–1 on 12 May 2007 in front of a recordFA Trophy crowd of 53,262. Fuller has also made over 200 appearances forGillingham and wascaptain of the squad that beatShrewsbury Town 1–0 in theLeague Two play-off final atWembley Stadium on 23 May 2009 to win promotion toLeague One.
Born inAshford, Kent, Fuller was spotted playing for his local club, Kennington Juniors FC, byPremier League sideCharlton Athletic who signed him to their youth Academy at the age of thirteen.[3] The full-back progressed through the Addicks'Academy up until the age of nineteen, signing his first professional contract on 1 July 2004. On 17 July 2004, he featured for Charlton Athletic in a pre-season friendly win overSouthern League sideSittingbourne; he scored in the 83rd minute to confirm a 3–0 win following a brace by fellow youngsterLloyd Sam.[4] The young right-back was selected tocaptain Charlton Athletic's Reserves side during the2004–05 season, helping the club to finish as Champions of thePremier Reserve League Southern Division. He also represented Charlton in the first ever Premier Reserve League Shield national play-off final on 12 May 2005, which saw Northern Division championsManchester United Reserves beat the Addicks 4–2 atThe Valley.[5] Despite his success with the Reserves, however, he failed to break into the first team and was subsequently loaned out toLeague Two sideBarnet on an initial one-month deal on 12 January 2006.[6] The 21-year-olddefender made hisFootball League debut on 14 January 2006 in a 4–1 defeat byLincoln City.[7] On 15 February 2006, it was announced that he would remain with Barnet for a further month.[8] On 18 March 2006, he scored his first Football League goal in a 2–2 draw withPeterborough United.[9] On 24 March 2006, Barnet managerPaul Fairclough extended Fuller's loan for a third and final time up until 22 April.[10] He played his final game for the Bees on 22 April 2006 in a 0–0 draw withChester City before subsequently returning to Charlton Athletic.[11] In total, he made fifteen league appearances for Barnet during the2005–06 season, which proved to be a vital contribution in helping the club avoidrelegation from the Football League.[12] Despite impressing on his loan spell, the 20-year-old defender was released by Charlton Athletic managerAlan Curbishley at the end of the season.[3]
On 28 June 2006, Fuller signed forConference sideStevenage Borough.[13] He made his debut for the Boro in a 2–1 defeat byYork City on 15 August 2006.[14] The defender scored his only goal for the club in a 2–0 win overGrays Athletic on 17 February 2007.[15] He was ever-present throughout the2006–07 season, making thirty-seven league appearances in all.[16] He was also indispensable to the club's FA Trophy success, featuring in both semi-final legs which saw Stevenage Borough beat Grays Athletic 3–1 on aggregate.[17] He was part of the squad that played in the 2007 FA Trophy Final against Kidderminster Harriers on 12 May 2007 in front of a record FA Trophy crowd of 53,262.[18] Stevenage came back from 2–0 down to ultimately triumph 3–2 following an 88th-minute goal bySteve Morison; the victory was all the more significant for Fuller as he became a member of the first team to win a competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium.[19] He would go on to make 24 league appearances for the Boro during the2007–08 season before subsequently leaving the club to sign a two-year deal with League One sideGillingham on 28 January 2008 along with teammateStuart Lewis; reuniting him with the manager who had previously recruited him at Stevenage Borough,Mark Stimson.[20]
Fuller made his debut for Gillingham in the 2–0 defeat toTranmere Rovers on 29 January 2008.[21] The defender would go on to make nine more appearances for the Gills in the2007–08 season.[22] On 10 October 2008, despite having only been with the Gills for nine months, the 24-year-old was appointed as club captain.[23] He made forty league appearances in total during the2008–09 season, making him integral to the club's push for promotion.[24] In spite of this level of consistency, however, his season was wrought with difficulty. The defender's troubles began when he was sent off for a secondyellow card offence after a foul onSam Wood in the 88th minute of a 1–1 draw withBrentford on 20 December 2008, resulting in a one match ban.[25] His troubles did not end there however, as in January 2009 he was rushed to hospital after contractingbacterial pneumonia.[26] He made a rapid recovery, however, and returned just five weeks later to play a full match in a 2–0 defeat byRotherham United atMillmoor on 14 February 2009.[27] Despite these set-backs, he was able to help Gillingham finish the season in 5th place, making them eligible for the League Two play-offs. Gillingham facedRochdale in the play-off semi-final, drawing 0–0 in the first leg on 7 May 2009,[28] before securing a place in the play-off final by beating Rochdale 2–1 at thePriestfield Stadium in the second leg on 10 May 2009.[29] Gillingham faced Shrewsbury Town in the 2009 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 23 May 2009, in which Fuller captained his side to a 1–0 win over "The Shrews" in front of a crowd of 53,706 to seal promotion to League One,[30] a dramatic turn of events considering that he had been suffering with a life-threatening illness just five months before.[31][32]
Fuller made 36 league appearances for "The Gills" in their first season back in League One,[33] however, once again the latter half of his season was blighted by injury. The 25-year-old Gillingham captain suffered a broken arm after taking a kick on the forearm in a 1–1 draw withLeyton Orient on 23 February 2010.[34] A specialist subsequently confirmed that this injury would sideline him for approximately six weeks.[35] By the time of his return the Gills were embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation and their fortunes took a turn for the worse when Fuller suffered a broken nose mere seconds after kick-off after a clash of heads with teammateDarren Dennehy in what would go on to be a 3–2 win overLeeds United on 17 April 2010; he was substituted byJack Payne in the fourth minute of play.[36] Fuller was unable to prevent the Gills' relegation slide back into League Two after he was sidelined for the rest of the season, undergoing surgery on his broken nose a few days after the incident.[37] In spite of this, however, he was offered a two-year contract extension, along with teammateGarry Richards, by new Gills managerAndy Hessenthaler on 25 March 2010.[38] He accepted the terms and on 4 June 2010 it was announced that he had signed a new contract along with strikerDennis Oli.[39]
Gillingham began the2010–11 season in poor form, winning just three of their first sixteen games of the season which brought the Gills captain under fire.[40] However, the side quickly turned their form around by going on to win six of their next eight league games and were unbeaten for 16 league matches between a 2–1 win overAldershot Town on 29 January 2011 and a 1–1 draw withMorecambe on 16 April 2011. Fuller made his 100th league appearance for Gillingham on 30 October 2010 in a 2–1 defeat byNorthampton Town.[41] The Gills ultimately finished in 8th place, just missing out on the League Two play-offs. He made forty-two league appearances for Gillingham throughout the season.[42] On 27 July 2011, Gillingham announced that Fuller would be relieved of the captain's armband, having worn it for three seasons, and would be replaced by new signingAndy Frampton.[43] The right-back once again found himself plagued by injury worries in the2011–12 season, making just nine league appearances.[44] He suffered an injury to his knee in a 6–1 win overHereford United on 17 September 2011.[45] On further examination the injury was found to be serious and on 13 October 2011 it was announced that he would be out for the rest of the season and had to undergo a "career-saving" knee operation immediately which would prevent him from playing again for nine months.[46] This proved to be a devastating blow for Fuller, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the 2012 season, as his deal was not renewed by new Gillingham managerMartin Allen and he was subsequently released by the club on 28 July 2012 having made 137 league appearances.[47]
On 13 August 2012, Fuller signed for League Two sideBarnet on a free transfer, along with Gillingham teammateCurtis Weston.[48] He made his debut for the Bees in a 1–1 draw withBristol Rovers on 21 August 2012.[49] He would go on to make 39 league appearances, cementing his place as the club's first choice right-back.[50] Barnet started the2012–13 season poorly, failing to win any of their first 12 league matches and were ultimately relegated to the Conference on goal difference after finishing in 23rd place.[51] Barnet's relegation required managerEdgar Davids to release a number of players as an austerity measure to accommodate the fact that the club would be operating on a smaller wage budget in the 2013–14 season, and it was announced on 22 May 2013 that Fuller would be released along with 12 other players.[52]
On 28 May 2013, Fuller signed for League Two sideAFC Wimbledon along with formerHavant & Waterlooville midfielderChris Arthur.[53] Shortly after his signing, Fuller disclosed to the media that he hoped to establish himself as a key member of the squad and expressed his loyalty to the club by stating that he hoped to see out the rest of his professional career with AFC Wimbledon.[54] A month later, he found himself reunited with former teammate and fellow ex-Gillingham captain, Andy Frampton, when it was announced that he had also signed a contract with theSouth London club on 28 June 2013.[55] On 31 July 2013, managerNeal Ardley appointedAlan Bennett as club captain and declared that Fuller would act as vice-captain for the2013–14 season.[56] Fuller made his league debut for "The Dons" in a 1–1 draw withTorquay United on 3 August 2013.[57] He was an ever-present for the club throughout the season, making forty five league appearances in total. Fuller's consistently committed performances and dogged attitude quickly established him as a favourite with supporters, culminating in him being voted as Player of the Year at the end of season awards.[58] He scored his first goal for the Dons when he scored the winner in a 1–0 win overDagenham & Redbridge.[59]
He was released by AFC Wimbledon at the end of the 2017–18 season.[60]
On 2 June 2018, Fuller returned toGillingham, signing a one-year contract.[61] He made 38 league appearances in the 2018–19 season and was voted as the club's Player of the Season.[62]
On 5 April 2019, he signed a one-year contract extension with the club.[63] Fuller made his 200th appearance for the club in a 1–0 defeat toCoventry City on 24 August 2019.[64]
In June 2020 he triggered a one-year extension to his contract with the Kent club, but was informed by managerSteve Evans that he was free to pursue other options with Evans citing a desire to build a more youthful squad.[65]
On 6 August 2020, it was confirmed that Fuller had left Gillingham after he, along with the club, decided to terminate his contract by mutual consent.[66]
On 27 August 2020, Fuller joinedNational League South sideDorking Wanderers.[67] He captained the Surrey side to promotion to theNational League at the end of the 2021–22 season, defeating Ebbsfleet United in aplay-off final.[68]
On 8 November 2024, Fuller joined hometown clubAshford United of theIsthmian League South East Division on a one-month loan deal.[69]
On 14 May 2025, it was announced that Fuller would leave the club at the end of his contract in June.[70]
On 21 June 2025, Fuller agreed to return to Ashford United on a permanent basis upon the expiry of his contract at Dorking Wanderers.[71] In September 2025 he was appointed Head of Football Development atAshford Town (Middlesex).[citation needed]
Fuller's only appearance for a national team came when he was selected to represent theEngland C team, along with fellow Stevenage Borough teammatesRonnie Henry and Steve Morison, in an international friendly againstNorthern Ireland on 13 February 2007 which ended as a 3–1 win for England.[72]
| Club | Season | League | Play-offs | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[a] | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Charlton Athletic | 2004–05 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Barnet (loan) | 2005–06[73] | League Two | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| Stevenage Borough | 2006–07[74] | Conference | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 43 | 1 |
| 2007–08[75] | Conference | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| Total | 61 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 68 | 1 | ||
| Gillingham | 2007–08[75] | League One | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2008–09[76] | League Two | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| 2009–10[77] | League One | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| 2010–11[78] | League Two | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| 2011–12[79] | League Two | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | 134 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 151 | 0 | ||
| Barnet | 2012–13[80] | League Two | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| AFC Wimbledon | 2013–14[81] | League Two | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| 2014 – 15[82] | League Two | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 1 | |
| 2015–16[83] | League Two | 45 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 | |
| 2016–17[84] | League One | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| 2017 – 18[85] | League One | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| Total | 205 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 233 | 1 | ||
| Gillingham | 2018–19[86] | League One | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 |
| 2019–20[87] | League One | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| Total | 69 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 0 | ||
| Dorking Wanderers | 2020–21[88] | National League South | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2021–22[88] | National League South | 25 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2022–23[88] | National League | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[88] | National League | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | |
| 2024–25[88] | National League South | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 109 | 3 | ||
| Ashford United (loan) | 2024–25[89] | Isthmian League South East Division | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| Ashford United | 2025–26 | Isthmian League South East Division | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Career total | 650 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 727 | 9 | ||
Stevenage Borough
Gillingham
AFC Wimbledon
Dorking Wanderers
Individual
