Harold Fleming (footballer)


Harold John Fleming was an English footballer who played as an inside forward for Swindon Town and the England national team. He is the only Swindon Town player to have featured for England.

Club career

Fleming began his career at St. Marks before being invited for a trial at Swindon Town by manager Sam Allen. He joined the club in 1907. Fleming scored a brace in a 4–0 win over Salisbury and was swiftly signed on a full-time basis.
Fleming became a Swindon Town legend scoring 203 times in 332 games in 17 years at the club. If not for World War I his career may have been more successful. He worked as a physical education instructor during the conflict.
During his career, Fleming had a style of football boot named after him.

International career

Fleming remains the only Swindon player to have represented England at senior level while playing for the club - gaining 11 caps between 1909 and 1914.

Legacy

Fleming Way in Swindon, close to the County Ground, is named after him and a statue of him stands inside the foyer of Swindon Town at the County Ground. In 2019 Swindon Heritage unveiled a blue plaque to Fleming on his former home in Durham Street.
Around 2009 video footage of Fleming's playing was discovered.

Family

Harold Fleming was the son of Fredrick Henry Fleming, and had one brother and two sisters. All four went on to have children, including a daughter for Harold.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
129 May 1909Millenáris Sporttelep, Budapest, HungaryHungary3–04–2Friendly
231 May 1909Millenáris Sporttelep, Budapest, HungaryScotland1–08–2Friendly
331 May 1909Millenáris Sporttelep, Budapest, HungaryScotland5–08–2Friendly
412 February 1910Solitude, Belfast, IrelandIreland1–11–1Friendly
510 February 1912Dalymount Park, Dublin, IrelandIreland1–06–1Friendly
610 February 1912Dalymount Park, Dublin, IrelandIreland3–16–1Friendly
710 February 1912Dalymount Park, Dublin, IrelandIreland5–16–1Friendly
817 March 1913Ashton Gate, Bristol, EnglandWales1–14–3Friendly
94 April 1914Hampden Park, Glasgow, ScotlandScotland1–11–3Friendly