Matt Fisher was signed by Paul Fairclough to strengthen the centre of Boro’s midfield; a move that helped a struggling side to function better. While he couldn’t come straight into the team due to personal issues and injury, we were soon rewarded with a strong, quality player. In that central midfield role, he showed great commitment – starting with his debut in a 3-1 win over Morecambe.

But we saw a different side to his game in a 2-1 defeat at home to Boston United; Fisher scoring his first goal for us, then scoring once more two weeks later in another 2-1 defeat – this time at Yeovil. To be fair, he wasn’t necessarily here for his scoring ability. It was the strength he brought to the middle of the park that was the main draw. And, as such, he’d feature in most of our games during 2002.

With Richard Howell coming in on the wing, Simon Wormull pushed inside. And this was a bad thing for Fisher because it meant he was shunted to the bench. It was from this point that he struggled to get back into the side. His performance were dropping off somewhat, which didn’t help his cause. And it seemed he was no longer the player he was.

Matt Fisher: After Boro’

Fisher was already clearly unsettled by the time Wayne Turner left and a move had been on the cards for some time. The move looked like coming on 22 January, just six days before Graham Westley came in. But the deal with Worksop Town fell through and Matt was at the Boro’ to welcome the new gaffer.

Already on the transfer list and with two new midfielders coming in from Farnborough, Fisher’s days looked numbered. Sure enough in February 2002, he agreed terms with high-flying Dr Martens leaders Tamworth. The Lambs actually beat us just eight days earlier in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat, which saw Boro’s FA Trophy hopes crushed and gave Westley the clearest indication of the task at hand.

Author: Tiny