Fitz Hall
Encyclopedia
Fitz Benjamin Hall is an English
footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers
. He is a central defender
who can also play as a central midfielder
. His nickname is "One Size" Fitz Hall, a pun on the phrase "one size fits all". He attended Willowfield School
.
youth player on the same day as Paul Konchesky
, Bobby Zamora
and Jlloyd Samuel
but was released at the age of 15. He was also once told that he wasn't good enough to become a professional footballer but found his lucky break through a friend that got him a trial at Barnet
He then joined Barnet
as part of a Youth Training Scheme
, before moving to non-league Chesham United
under the management of Bob Dowie
.
, manager of Oldham Athletic
, who bought him for £30,000 during the 2001/02 season. He made his debut in April 2002 and scored the winner against Stoke City
. The following season really saw him shine as he was part of a defence which was only 2nd best to league champions Wigan Athletic
and was named in the PFA Team of the Year
. Following the financial melt down at the club Hall was sold to Premiership side Southampton
for £250,000. However, he did not manage to break into Southampton's first team on a regular basis.
at the beginning of the 2004–05
season for £1.5m, and went straight into the first team for the club's first season back in the Premiership.
In August 2005, Hall was appointed team captain of Palace, replacing Michael Hughes following the club's relegation back to the Championship
. Many fans felt that Hall's performance was being hindered by the burden of captaincy, and after several poor performances, and several yellow cards, Hughes was re-appointed team captain in January 2006.
for an undisclosed fee on 26 June 2006. New Palace boss Peter Taylor
cited a £3m get-out clause in Hall's contract as the reason for the transfer.
during the early part of the January 2008 transfer window. He signed a four and a half year contract, after Rangers paid an undisclosed fee. Hall scored his first goal for Queens Park Rangers on the first game of 2008–09 season against Barnsley
, scoring his second two minutes later, before having a penalty saved for a hat-trick.
for the rest of the season. He made his debut in the 5–1 win over Cardiff City
at St James' Park
and put in a solid performance, before being replaced by Tamás Kádár
in the closing stages of the game.
On 20 March, during Newcastle's 2–2 draw with Bristol City
at Ashton Gate
, Hall injured his hamstring in a chase with Nicky Maynard
. After the game, Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton
said Hall's injury did not look too good.
On 19 April 2010, Hall was part of the team that confirmed Newcastle as the League Championship
champions for the season. During the game he made some excellent last ditch tackles. Following Newcastle promotion to the Premier League, Hall was keen to make a permanent deal but it never happened and Hall returned to QPR.
:
playing a twelve-year-old.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
. He is a central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who can also play as a central midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. His nickname is "One Size" Fitz Hall, a pun on the phrase "one size fits all". He attended Willowfield School
Willowfield School
Willowfield School is a four form entry, mixed gender secondary school in Walthamstow, East London with 600 students on roll. It is a neighbourhood 11-16 comprehensive school that admits 120 girls and boys to Year 7 each year. The school has been granted specialist Humanities College status, so it...
.
Early career
Hall began his career as a West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
youth player on the same day as Paul Konchesky
Paul Konchesky
Paul Martyn Konchesky is an English footballer who plays as a left back. Currently signed to Leicester City, he has previously played for Charlton, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, joining his present club in July 2011...
, Bobby Zamora
Bobby Zamora
Robert Lester "Bobby" Zamora is an English footballer who plays for Fulham and the England national football team. Zamora began his career at Football League club Bristol Rovers, but was soon signed by Brighton & Hove Albion, where he found first team success...
and Jlloyd Samuel
Jlloyd Samuel
Jlloyd Samuel is a Trinidadian footballer who last played for Bolton Wanderers as a defender. He is a Trinidad and Tobago international.-Aston Villa:...
but was released at the age of 15. He was also once told that he wasn't good enough to become a professional footballer but found his lucky break through a friend that got him a trial at Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
He then joined Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
as part of a Youth Training Scheme
Youth Training Scheme
The Youth Training Scheme was the former name in the United Kingdom of an on-the-job training course for school leavers aged 16 and 17, managed by the Manpower Services Commission...
, before moving to non-league Chesham United
Chesham United F.C.
Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United...
under the management of Bob Dowie
Bob Dowie
Bob Dowie is a British football coach. He is a former Director of Football at Championship club Crystal Palace.An experienced non-league player, he played for Bishop's Stortford, Cheshunt where he played 49 times and scored three goals between 1983 and 1985, Enfield, Hertford Town, St Albans City...
.
Oldham Athletic
Hall's performances at Chesham came to the attention of Dowie's brother IainIain Dowie
Iain Dowie is a former footballer and manager. He is currently without a club. He has previously managed Hull City and Queens Park Rangers and was assistant manager of Newcastle United...
, manager of Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, who bought him for £30,000 during the 2001/02 season. He made his debut in April 2002 and scored the winner against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. The following season really saw him shine as he was part of a defence which was only 2nd best to league champions Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
and was named in the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
. Following the financial melt down at the club Hall was sold to Premiership side Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for £250,000. However, he did not manage to break into Southampton's first team on a regular basis.
Crystal Palace
Hall re-joined Iain Dowie at Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
at the beginning of the 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season for £1.5m, and went straight into the first team for the club's first season back in the Premiership.
In August 2005, Hall was appointed team captain of Palace, replacing Michael Hughes following the club's relegation back to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. Many fans felt that Hall's performance was being hindered by the burden of captaincy, and after several poor performances, and several yellow cards, Hughes was re-appointed team captain in January 2006.
Wigan
Hall moved from Palace to Premiership side Wigan AthleticWigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
for an undisclosed fee on 26 June 2006. New Palace boss Peter Taylor
Peter John Taylor
Peter John Taylor is an English football manager and former player and current head coach of the Bahrain national football team...
cited a £3m get-out clause in Hall's contract as the reason for the transfer.
Queens Park Rangers
Hall was one of a number of players brought in by Championship side Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
during the early part of the January 2008 transfer window. He signed a four and a half year contract, after Rangers paid an undisclosed fee. Hall scored his first goal for Queens Park Rangers on the first game of 2008–09 season against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, scoring his second two minutes later, before having a penalty saved for a hat-trick.
Newcastle United
On 29 January 2010, Hall was signed on loan by Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
for the rest of the season. He made his debut in the 5–1 win over Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
and put in a solid performance, before being replaced by Tamás Kádár
Tamás Kádár
Tamás Kádár is a Hungarian footballer, currently playing for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He is a defender and is equally capable at centre-back or left-back. He made his debut for Zalaegerszegi TE at the age of 16 and has since gone on to win Hungary U-21 honours.-Zalaegerszeg:Kádár...
in the closing stages of the game.
On 20 March, during Newcastle's 2–2 draw with Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
at Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average...
, Hall injured his hamstring in a chase with Nicky Maynard
Nicky Maynard
Nicholas David "Nicky" Maynard is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bristol City.-Crewe Alexandra:...
. After the game, Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton
Chris Hughton
Christopher William Gerard "Chris" Hughton is a professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Birmingham City F.C....
said Hall's injury did not look too good.
On 19 April 2010, Hall was part of the team that confirmed Newcastle as the League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
champions for the season. During the game he made some excellent last ditch tackles. Following Newcastle promotion to the Premier League, Hall was keen to make a permanent deal but it never happened and Hall returned to QPR.
Club
Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
:
- ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
: 2010–112010–11 Football League ChampionshipThe 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
Acting
As a 16-year-old he acted in a minor role in The Fifth ElementThe Fifth Element
The Fifth Element is a 1997 French science fiction film directed, co-written, and based on a story by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich...
playing a twelve-year-old.
External links
- Fitz Hall player profile at qpr.co.uk
- Fitz Hall player profile at wiganlatics.co.uk
- Fitz Hall Career Profile