Scott Fox (born 28 June 1987) is a Scottish professional goalkeeper who is a free agent. He has previously played for Celtic, East Fife, Queen of the South, Dundee, Ross County, Partick Thistle, Greenock Morton, Motherwell and Cove Rangers. Fox was selected by Scotland National Football Team manager Gordon Strachan to be part of the national squad to face Norway in 2013.

Scott Fox
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-06-28) 28 June 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Bellshill, Scotland
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Celtic 0 (0)
2007–2008East Fife (loan) 11 (0)
2010 Queen of the South 6 (0)
2010 Dundee 2 (0)
2010–2015 Partick Thistle 127 (0)
2015–2019 Ross County 125 (0)
2019–2020 Partick Thistle 22 (0)
2020–2022 Motherwell 0 (0)
2021–2022Greenock Morton (loan) 0 (0)
2022Queen of the South (loan) 4 (0)
2023 Cove Rangers 10 (0)
International career
2007 Scotland U20 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 8 April 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Celtic

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Fox began his career at Celtic. However, he never made an appearance for the club. During his time at Celtic, he was part of the side that won the double of under-19 league and the Scottish Youth Cup in 2005[1] and 2006.[2][3] On 20 August 2007, he signed for the Third Division club East Fife on loan.[4] While he was at East Fife, he won the Scottish Football League Young Player of the Month Award for November 2007.[5] On 15 January 2008, he agreed to move to Ayr United on loan for the rest of the season.[6] However, Celtic cancelled the loan and the transfer never took place.[7]

With his contract at Celtic having expired in Summer 2009, Fox went on trial at Exeter City[8] and Lincoln City.[9] However, due to Celtic being entitled to a development fee and still holding his registration as he was under 23, there was no contract offer.[10] Fox eventually took his case to FIFA[3] although he ultimately lost and spent six months without playing.[11]

Queen of the South

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On 29 January 2010, Gordon Chisholm signed Fox for Dumfries club Queen of the South from Celtic on amateur forms.[12] On 16 February 2010, Fox debuted for the Doonhamers, in place of the suspended David Hutton, in a 3-0 win versus Ayr United at Palmerston.[13]

On 3 April 2010, Fox replaced Hutton as a substitute in the 36th minute, due to a back injury, in a 3-3 draw versus Morton at Cappielow, under the management of Kenny Brannigan. Altogether, Fox played six league matches for the Doonhamers, although he was not retained at the end of the season.

Dundee

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Fox joined up for the second time with manager Gordon Chisholm at the start of July 2010 when he joined Dundee.[14]

He was released in October when the club entered administration.[15]

Partick Thistle

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Fox was on trial for Partick Thistle during a 4–0 reserve team victory against Ayr United. He made his first team debut as a trialist on 30 October 2010, in a 1–0 victory for Partick Thistle against Cowdenbeath.[16] At the end of the 2010–11 season, Fox received the Player of the Year award from the club.

In April 2013, Fox signed a new contract keeping him at Partick Thistle until 2015.[17] At the end of the 2012–13 season, with Partick Thistle having won the First Division, gaining promotion to the Scottish Premier League, Fox was named in the PFA Scotland 2012–13 First Division Team of the Year.[18]

Following a bad ankle injury in late 2013, Fox was replaced by substitute keeper and ex-Scotland international Paul Gallacher for the remainder of the 2013–14 Scottish Premiership season. Fox made an appearance on the final day of the season in a 3–2 loss to Ross County at Firhill, however, he collided heavily with County's Jordan Slew and was stretchered off with ankle trauma.[19]

On 16 August 2014, Fox was sent off against Dundee in the second game of Thistle's 2014–15 Scottish Premiership campaign following an incident with Paul McGowan. He was replaced by Paul Gallacher, who saved the subsequent Gary Harkins penalty.[20] In November 2014, Fox called off the day before Thistle were due to play Aberdeen due to apparent food poisoning. Gallacher subsequently took his place in goals, however, Thistle went on to lose the match 1–0.[21]

Fox left the club in May 2015, having made 135 appearances in total for Thistle.[22]

Ross County

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On 29 May 2015, Fox made the switch to Scottish Premiership rivals Ross County, signing a two-year deal.[23] During his time at the club, Fox helped County win the Scottish League Cup, though he missed the final due to injury. Fox also won the Scottish Championship and the Scottish Challenge Cup. Fox left County in May 2019 having not agreed a new contract with the club.[24]

Return to Partick Thistle

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Fox signed a two-year contract with Partick Thistle on 1 July 2019.[25] He made his first appearance in his second spell at Thistle in a 2–2 draw with Hamilton Academical on 20 July 2019. He started the league season as backup goalkeeper to Jamie Sneddon, however, he soon became the club's permanent No.1 goalkeeper from the arrival of new manager Ian McCall.

Following Partick Thistle's early relegation to League One as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fox invoked a relegation release clause on 6 June 2020, ending his second spell at the club.

Motherwell

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On 22 June 2020, Fox signed a one-year deal with Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell on a free transfer.[26] During pre-season training he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that prevented him from playing for most of the 2020–21 season.[27]

Fox was loaned on an emergency basis to Greenock Morton in May 2021 for their play-off with Airdrieonians.[27]

Upon his return to Motherwell, he signed a new one-year contract.[28] On 23 February 2022, Fox signed a new contract with Motherwell, until the summer of 2023.[29]

On 1 September 2022, Fox was loaned out to Scottish League One club Queen of the South for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. This was due to goalkeeper Tom Ritchie's recall by Aberdeen, early from his loan spell in Dumfries. Ritchie has since been sent out on loan to Peterhead.[30] On 24 November, Fox was recalled by Motherwell after his loan was cancelled by mutual consent.[31][32] On 22 December 2022, Fox left Motherwell by mutual agreement.[33]

Cove Rangers

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On 17 January 2023, Fox joined Scottish Championship club Cove Rangers on an 18-month deal.[34]

International career

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Fox was part of the Scotland under-19 squad that made it to the final of the 2006 European Under-19 Championship in Poland.[35] He was also named in the squad that took part in the 2007 Under-20 World Cup.[36] He played in Scotland's final match of the tournament, a 2–1 defeat against Costa Rica that saw them exit the tournament at the group stage.[37]

Fox was selected for the full Scotland squad for the first time in November 2013 for the matches against USA and Norway.[38]

Career statistics

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As of 10 April 2023[39][40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Celtic 2007–08 Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Fife (loan) 2007–08 Scottish Third Division 11 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Queen of the South 2009–10 Scottish First Division 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Dundee 2010–11 2 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 4 0
Partick Thistle 2010–11 24 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 28 0
2011–12 31 0 3 0 1 0 2[a] 0 37 0
2012–13 29 0 1 0 2 0 4[a] 0 36 0
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 21 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 25 0
2014–15 22 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 24 0
Total 127 0 9 0 8 0 6 0 150 0
Ross County 2015–16 Scottish Premiership 27 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 31 0
2016–17 35 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 40 0
2017–18 27 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 31 0
2018–19 Scottish Championship 36 0 3 0 5 0 1[a] 0 45 0
Total 125 0 7 0 14 0 1 0 147 0
Partick Thistle 2019–20 Scottish Championship 22 0 2 0 4 0 4 0 32 0
Motherwell 2020–21 Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021–22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Greenock Morton (loan) 2020–21 Scottish Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 2 0
Queen of the South (loan) 2022–23 Scottish League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Cove Rangers 2022–23 Scottish Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Career total 307 0 20 0 26 0 13 0 368 0
  1. ^ a b c d Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs

Honours

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Club

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Celtic
Partick Thistle
Ross County

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ a b "CELTIC WIN SFA YOUTH CUP". Scottish FA. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Wee Jambos give everything but are hit by sucker punches". The Scotsman. 11 May 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Hamilton, Tom (16 January 2010). "Celtic kid Scott Fox takes on FIFA and SFA in move that could shock the game". Daily Record. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  4. ^ "East Fife sign Greenhill and Fox". BBC Sport. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Fox collects young player prize". BBC Sport. 7 December 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Ayr Utd take keeper Fox on loan". BBC Sport. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  7. ^ McConnell, Stewart (22 January 2008). "Ayr's fighting spirit". Ayr Advertiser. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Grecians look at keeper". Sky Sports. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Lincoln take goalkeeper Scott Fox on trial". BBC Sport. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Exeter turn down trialist keeper". BBC Sport. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  11. ^ Smith, Andrew (7 April 2013). "Ramsdens Cup: Scott Fox has put trouble behind him". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Yet another new signing". Queen of the South FC. 29 January 2010.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "QoS vs Ayr United". Queen of the South FC. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010.
  14. ^ "Queen of the South goalkeeper Scott Fox joins Dundee". BBC Sport. 1 July 2010.
  15. ^ "Nine players and management pair let go by Dundee". STV Sport. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  16. ^ "PARTICK THISTLE 1 COWDENBEATH 0". Partick Thistle F.C. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Thistle sign up Fox". Scottish Professional Football League. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  18. ^ a b Ross, Jack (3 May 2013). "PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR". PFA Scotland. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  19. ^ "SCOTT FOX - INJURY UPDATE". Partick Thistle F.C. 22 May 2014.
  20. ^ Crawford, Kenny (16 August 2014). "Dundee 1–1 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  21. ^ "ABERDEEN MATCH REACTION". Partick Thistle F.C. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Ross County: Scott Fox moves from Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 29 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Signing News Scott Fox joins the Club on a two-year deal". Ross County F.C. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Scott Fox: Goalkeeper leaves Ross County after talks breakdown". BBC Sport. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  25. ^ "Scott Fox: Goalkeeper returns to Partick Thistle after Ross County exit". BBC Sport. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  26. ^ "Scott Fox signs for Motherwell". Motherwell Football Club. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  27. ^ a b Robertson, Euan (17 May 2021). "Motherwell's Scott Fox joins Greenock Morton on emergency loan". Daily Record. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  28. ^ Thomson, Paul (8 June 2021). "Motherwell boss hails Scott Fox's strength as goalkeeper signs new deal". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  29. ^ "SCOTT FOX EXTENDS HIS CONTRACT". motherwellfc.co.uk/. Motherwell F.C. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  30. ^ "QosFC: Welcome Scott Fox".
  31. ^ "QosFC: Scott Fox". www.qosfc.com. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  32. ^ Club, Motherwell Football; Reilly, Alastair (24 November 2022). "Fox returns from loan". Motherwell Football Club. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  33. ^ "SCOTT FOX DEPARTS". motherwellfc.co.uk/. Motherwell F.C. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  34. ^ Durent, Jamie. "Cove Rangers sign goalkeeper Scott Fox on 18-month deal". Press and Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Sons of Scotland" Queen of the South FC, 14 September 2010
  36. ^ "SCOTLAND SQUAD FOR U20 WORLD CUP". Scottish FA. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  37. ^ Murray, Keir (8 July 2007). "Scotland U20 1-2 Costa Rica U20". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  38. ^ "Scotland: Partick goalkeeper Scott Fox earns first call-up". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  39. ^ "Scott Fox Statistics - Soccerbase". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  40. ^ "Scott Fox profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  41. ^ "SCOTT FOX - 'WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO DO IT'". Partick Thistle F.C. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  42. ^ Wilson, Richard (13 March 2016). "Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Ross County Secure title and promotion". BBC. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  44. ^ "Ross County lifted the Challenge Cup for a third time". BBC Sport. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  45. ^ "Awards for Partick Thistle's Ian McCall and Scott Fox". BBC Sport. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
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