Fraser Franks Player Profile
Debut: Notts County (H, 0-2), 08/08/2015
Fraser Franks became a new addition to Stevenage’s defensive ranks during the 2015 close season, the latest man to join Teddy Sheringham’s first tranche of recruits. It came after his contract at League Two rivals Luton Town was ended a year early by mutual consent.
The centre half made just 13 appearances in a Luton shirt in 2014-5, with the player added to the transfer list once the season had ended. Sources suggest he and Hatters boss John Still were not quite on the same page; ending his contract early offering a fresh start.
Stevenage swooped to give him that chance, with Teddy Sheringham making efforts to overhaul Boro’s style of play. And with Franks’ record of success, it was a shrewd acquisition – a Conference winner with Luton just one accolade picked up during his career pre-2015.
Prior to his spell at Kenilworth Road, Franks had been at Welling United and won promotion to the Conference Premier during his time at the Wings. Perhaps for the first time, the defender had settled at a club and his efforts were rewarded both on solo and team levels.
Franks had started his playing career at Chelsea, before moving to Brentford and turning professional at Griffin Park. A loan spell at Basingstoke Town proved a success, with a permanent switch to AFC Wimbledon following in 2010. He made a positive start at the Dons before injury struck.
Efforts to relaunch his Dons career included loan spells at Hayes and Yeading United and Newport County, but injuries and fitness continued to be an issue. With just four appearances to his name for the Dons in League Two, he was released – free to join Welling United and rebuild there.
With a fair amount of League Two experience and success at the highest level of non-league football, Franks appeared to be a smart move by Boro’ – available at no initial cost and with the know-how to add yet more steel to Sheringham’s squad at the Lamex.
