Phil Parkinson has praised the impact that Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher has had off the pitch as well as on it.
A former Premier League striker with Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland, Steven Fletcher has enjoyed a successful career in English football.
During his years in the top flight, he plundered a respectful 53 goals in 189 games and became renowned for decimating defences with his cannon of a left foot.
Now, at the age of 36, Fletcher is plying his trade lower down the pyramid at Wrexham, but his goalscoring powers show no signs of slowing up.
In 21 appearances for the Reds this term, he’s scored seven goals with only Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee netting more.
It’s impressive that in the twilight years of his career, he’s still performing to a high standard and that is just a testament to how he looks after himself with Phil Parkinson now praising him for the impact he’s making off the pitch.
Phil Parkinson hails ‘immense’ Steven Fletcher
Much like his teammate James McClean, who also arrived in the summer, Fletcher is an excellent role model for the young players in the squad.
For instance, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and centre-back Max Cleworth, both aged 22 and 21 respectively, will have learnt an awful lot from those experienced professionals and Parkinson has been so impressed with the impact he’s made off the field.
“He’s been immense for us,” Parkinson told The Leader. “I am very pleased with his contribution on and off the pitch.
“You don’t play at the level he has without being the consummate professional and that’s what he is.
“He looks after himself, he trains well, he does all his extra work and he’s enjoying playing and that’s great.
“He’s got a great enthusiasm to play and I love that. It’s great to see and it’s a great example for our younger players.”
Fletcher has been a breath of fresh air
Fletcher is nearing the end of his illustrious footballing career and while some players would choose to sit on their riches, the Scottish striker still has the hunger and appetite to play football.
It’s that level of desire and willingness to score goals that you can never take away from a player, no matter the age.
And since arriving at the Racecourse Ground, he’s been a breath of fresh air to watch and he’s exhumed class, as demonstrated by his acrobatic finish in the 1-0 victory over Notts County.
Not only that but he’s also shown how much he looks after his body having started two games in the space of three days; the 1-0 loss to Gillingham and the 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers.
Despite only arriving in the summer, Fletcher has already risen to cult hero status at Wrexham and if he helps them achieve promotion, it will be up there with his greatest-ever achievements.