Ex-Portsmouth and Brighton man fights back from horror injury to find new club at age of 38
The ex-Bournemouth midfielder scored a crucial goal in the Blues’ successful battle to stay in the Football League in 2013-14
A former Pompey player has battled back from a horror injury to find himself a new club - at the age of 38.
Such was the severity of the injury, the FA Trophy match against Basingstoke was abandoned an hour later, with the fixture replayed three days later.
The injury ruled the midfielder out for the remainder of the season, although in February he was appointed as the Magpies’ interim manager following Tom Killick’s departure.
Now Fogden is back playing again - and has opted to switch clubs to become Weymouth’s fourth signing of the summer after last season’s relegation.
‘His experience will help us massively’
The Terras currently occupy Southern League Division One South and are banking on the much-travelled veteran to help revitalise them.
‘Wes brings a wealth of experience to the Bob Lucas, with appearances covering League One down to Step 3.
‘Jason Matthews, Director of Football: “I’d personally like to welcome Wes to the group. I’m sure his experience will help us massively.” Welcome, Wes!’
Fogden would total 28 appearances and score twice in an 18-month spell at Fratton Park which ended in May 2015.
Following promotion to the Championship with Bournemouth under Eddie Howe in 2012-13, the midfielder moved to struggling Pompey in January 2014 in search of regular first-team football.
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Richie Barker’s men were languishing 20th in League Two and in danger of dropping out of the Football League - and Fogden would prove to be a pivotal performer in the Blues’ successful battle to remain in the Football League.
Pivotal in Pompey survival battle
With caretaker manager Andy Awford galvanising Pompey, Fogden came off the bench to net a crucial winner against Bristol Rovers in April 2014.
The Blues eventually stayed up with three matches to spare and, with Awford appointed permanently, although the midfielder damaged ligaments in his right knee just 10 days into pre-season training in the summer of 2014.
He returned later that season to feature 10 times, yet, following Paul Cook’s appointment in May 2015, he was released at the end of his contract during a summer overhaul.
However, his career has long been hampered by injury misfortune, with the midfielder telling The News in December 2022 that he estimated five seasons worth of football had been lost due to time on the sidelines.
Diagnosed with a potentially cancerous tumour in his spine while at Brighton in 2006, he has since featured for Bognor, Dorchester (four spells), the Hawks (twice), Bournemouth, Pompey, Yeovil, Dorking, Poole and Weymouth.
Now, at the age of 38, he has joined Weymouth and back playing again after eight months on the sidelines.