Danny Fox

2.1. Early career and loans

Born in Winsford, Cheshire, Fox joined his boyhood club Everton's youth system at the age of thirteen, having previously been with Liverpool. As he progressed through the academy, he was offered and signed a full-time professional contract with Everton on May 19, 2004. He continued to develop in the reserve team but never made a first-team appearance, although he was named on the bench for Everton's home match against Aston Villa in October 2004 as an 18-year-old.

On February 2, 2005, Fox was loaned out to Scottish club Stranraer. During his loan spell, he played 11 games and scored one goal against Berwick Rangers. His contributions helped Stranraer secure promotion to the Scottish Football League First Division. Following this, he was released by Everton in the summer of 2005. Additionally, the career statistics indicate he had a loan spell at Gateshead during the 2004-05 season, where he made 4 league appearances and scored 1 goal in 3 FA Cup appearances, totaling 7 appearances and 1 goal.

2.2. Walsall

After leaving Everton, Walsall quickly moved to sign Fox, alongside his former Everton youth teammate Anthony Gerrard, on June 3, 2005. Fox made his debut for the club against Rotherham United in the opening game of the 2005-06 season, making his first start. In the subsequent match against Southend United, he provided an assist for Matty Fryatt and was named Man of the Match by the Birmingham Mail. His performances in August earned him the Evening Mail Saddlers Player of the Month award, and he quickly became a regular in the first team. Despite facing injuries and a suspension, Fox finished his first season at Walsall with 33 appearances. He later reflected that the challenging 2005-06 season made him "more mature as a player and a person".

In the 2006-07 season, Fox started strongly, scoring his first goal for Walsall in a 5-0 win against Peterborough United on September 12, 2006. He scored his second goal two weeks later in a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers and his third goal on January 1, 2007, once again against Peterborough United, in a 2-0 victory. Despite missing two matches due to injury and suspension, Fox concluded the season with 44 appearances and three goals, contributing to the club's promotion to League One.

For the 2007-08 season, Fox continued to impress at Walsall. He scored his first goal of the season against Gillingham on September 1, 2007, followed by another goal two weeks later in a 2-1 win over Millwall. His third goal came on October 2, 2007, in a 3-2 win against Doncaster Rovers. However, on December 26, 2007, he received the first red card of his career in a 1-1 draw against Port Vale due to a second bookable offense. During the January transfer window, Fox attracted interest from clubs like Leeds United, but his future at Walsall remained uncertain.

Throughout his tenure at Walsall, Fox made over 100 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals, and was noted for his positive attitude.

2.3. Coventry City

On January 28, 2008, Daniel Fox joined Coventry City in a deal that also saw his defensive partner Scott Dann move to the Ricoh Arena shortly after. This transfer occurred after Fox agreed to personal terms and passed a medical, despite Colchester United having previously agreed a fee with Walsall for him.

Days after signing, Fox made his Coventry City debut in a 1-0 defeat against Hull City. Two months later, he scored his first goal for the club in a dominant 5-1 victory over Colchester United. In the subsequent match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 26, 2008, he provided an assist for Elliott Ward in a 1-1 draw. By the end of the 2007-08 season, Fox had made eighteen appearances and scored once, making an immediate impact on the first team.

Ahead of the 2008-09 season, Fox attracted interest from Premier League clubs, but Coventry City's chairman Ray Ranson firmly stated that both Fox and Dann were not for sale. Despite the speculation, Fox remained a first-team regular in his first full season. He scored his first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Swansea City on November 25, 2008, and followed up with another goal on December 1, 2008, in a 3-1 loss against Reading. After serving a one-match suspension, Fox scored on his return in a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic on December 9, 2008. Although he faced another injury in late December, he scored upon his return on January 10, 2009, in a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers. Fox scored his sixth goal of the season on February 28, 2009, in a 2-1 win over Norwich City, later describing it as his best goal ever.

Despite suffering another injury in March and being sent off in a 3-2 win over Watford on April 25, 2009, Fox had a highly successful debut season at Coventry. He was named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year for 2009, alongside his teammate Keiren Westwood, and also won the Players' Player of the Year award for the 2008-09 season. In total, he finished the 2008-09 season with six goals from forty-five appearances in all competitions. This season also marked a turning point for Fox as he began taking free kicks, converting four out of five attempts.

Coventry City was keen on extending his contract, and Fox himself expressed a desire to stay at the club. However, he continued to draw interest from Premier League teams, including Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United. Fox later credited Coventry City with helping him turn his life around.

2.4. Celtic

On July 24, 2009, Daniel Fox signed for Celtic for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around 1.50 M GBP. Coventry's manager, Chris Coleman, expressed his disappointment at losing Fox, noting the difficulty of retaining players when "big, big clubs" offer substantial amounts of money.

Fox made his competitive debut for Celtic in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Dynamo Moscow. He became a regular free-kick taker for the club and, while not scoring, provided assists in games against St Johnstone and Dundee United. His final appearance for Celtic was in an Old Firm derby against Rangers, a 1-1 draw where he played the full 90 minutes.

2.5. Burnley

On January 29, 2010, after just six months with Celtic, Fox transferred to Premier League club Burnley on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around 1.80 M GBP.

In his debut for Burnley on February 6, he contributed significantly to a 2-1 home win against West Ham United, claiming an assist and scoring the winning goal. Fox later stated that his Burnley debut was "his best day in football". His efforts briefly lifted Burnley out of the relegation zone, although the club was ultimately relegated to the Championship at the end of the season. Fox made fourteen appearances for Burnley during that period.

Following their relegation, Fox continued to be a first-team regular at Burnley, providing seven assists during the 2010-11 season. However, his 35 appearances were restricted by a suspension and an injury. In the 2011-12 season, he made only one appearance, playing in the opening game of the season, a 2-2 draw against Watford.

2.6. Southampton

On August 11, 2011, Fox signed a four-year deal with Southampton for an undisclosed fee. It was later revealed that Burnley's board of directors decided to sell him due to an offer they "could not refuse".

He made his debut for Southampton on August 16, 2011, coming off the bench to replace David Connolly in a 5-2 away win over Ipswich Town. Fox later provided a hat-trick of assists in a 4-0 win over Derby County on February 18, 2012. At Southampton, Fox established himself as a first-team player, primarily in the left-back position, and played a crucial role in helping the team gain promotion to the Premier League.

In the 2012-13 season, Fox maintained his regular first-team status and scored his first goal for Southampton in a 6-1 defeat at Arsenal on September 15, 2012. However, personal injury concerns and a red card against West Brom on April 27, 2013, which resulted in a three-match ban, limited him to twenty appearances during the 2012-13 season.

Fox made his first appearance of the 2013-14 season as a left-back in a 5-1 victory over Barnsley in the second round of the League Cup. However, he faced competition for his position from Luke Shaw. He was later sidelined by a hamstring injury that kept him out for several weeks. Fox returned to the first team on December 22, 2013, assisting one of the goals in a 3-2 loss against Tottenham Hotspur.

2.7. Nottingham Forest

On January 30, 2014, Fox signed on loan for Championship side Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2013-14 season.

He made his Nottingham Forest debut on February 2, 2014, playing 62 minutes in a 3-1 win over Yeovil Town, expressing delight despite the tough game. A week later, on February 11, 2014, against Huddersfield Town, Fox provided an assist for Jamie Paterson in a 3-0 win. However, personal reasons and an injury sustained against Birmingham City on April 19, 2014, restricted him to 14 appearances during his loan spell.

On May 9, 2014, Nottingham Forest signed Daniel Fox on a three-year permanent deal. He retained the number 13 shirt he had worn during his loan. Fox captained Nottingham Forest for the first time in the first round of the League Cup, playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers. His performance later drew criticism from Nottingham Forest supporters following a 1-0 loss against Rochdale, which led to their elimination from the FA Cup. After missing three matches due to this, Fox's form improved upon his return, providing an assist in a 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic and another in a 4-4 draw against Blackpool. He then provided three assists in two matches, two against Reading and one against Charlton Athletic. Despite further injury concerns and losing his first-team spot to Michael Mancienne at left-back, Fox made 27 appearances in his first full season at Nottingham Forest.

In the 2015-16 season, Fox continued to compete with Mancienne for the left-back position, remaining in the plans of new manager Dougie Freedman. He started the season's opening game as a left-back in a 1-0 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion. However, he soon lost his first-team place and was relegated to the substitutes' bench. After nearly two months out of the first team, Fox returned, playing as a right-back for 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss against Bristol City. Freedman later informed Fox that he was no longer part of the first-team plans and was permitted to leave the club, but he ultimately remained at Nottingham Forest, training with the reserves. After a five-month absence from the first team, Fox was recalled by caretaker manager Paul Williams in March and made his return on April 5, 2016, in a 2-1 loss against Reading. He remained in the first team for the final seven games of the season, though he received a straight red card in the last game, a 2-1 win over already relegated MK Dons. Fox finished the 2015-16 season with ten appearances.

Ahead of the 2016-17 season, Fox signed a one-year contract extension with Nottingham Forest on July 25, 2016. Due to his red card against MK Dons, he had to serve a three-match ban. Fox returned from suspension on August 16, 2016, making his first start and playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss against Brentford. He was recognized as the Nottingham Forest Supporters Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season.

2.8. Wigan Athletic

On January 29, 2019, Fox joined Championship team Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around 300.00 K GBP.

He later re-joined Wigan Athletic on September 11, 2020, on a short-term deal.

2.9. East Bengal and retirement

On October 19, 2020, Fox signed with East Bengal, managed by Robbie Fowler, to play in the 2020-2021 Indian Super League. Following his release from East Bengal, Fox announced his retirement from professional football in May 2022.

2.10. Winsford United return

In July 2023, Daniel Fox came out of retirement and signed for Winsford United, marking his return to playing.

6.1. Club

Stranraer

• Scottish Second Division promotion: 2004-05

Walsall

• Football League Two: 2006-07

Celtic

• Wembley Cup: 2009

Southampton

• Football League Championship runner-up: 2011-12

6.2. Individual

• Stranraer Young Player of the Year: 2004
• PFA Team of the Year: 2008-09 Football League Championship
• Coventry City Players' Player of the Season Award: 2009
• Nottingham Forest Supporters Player of the Year: 2017-18