Braintree Town have announced the signing of former Wrexham defender Jamal Fyfield following the 35-year-old’s departure from Boreham Wood earlier in the summer.
Fyfield started his career at Leyton Orient but he never made a senior appearance for his boyhood club. His first taste of senior football came with Maidenhead United where he spent just over three seasons learning his craft in the Conference South.
In September 2010, the left-footed player was signed by York City of the Conference. He made 14 appearances in all competitions and scored one goal in his first season for the Minstermen.
The 2011/12 campaign saw the Englishman become a regular starter for York, making 33 league appearances and scoring three goals as they were promoted to the Football League via the play-offs.
After a successful first season in League Two, Fyfield found himself out of the York team. This led to him leaving the club in January 2014 and enjoying a short stint in the National League with Grimsby Town.
The London-born defender then played for three National League clubs in the next four years as he got regular minutes for Welling United, Wrexham and Gateshead, where he remained for two seasons.
The experienced centre-back was signed by Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood ahead of the 2018/19 campaign and he went on to form a formidable legacy in North London over the next six seasons.
Fyfield played over 250 games and scored 15 times for the Wood as they reached the play-off semi-finals twice during his time at the club. He captained the team at times and was an integral part of the side that made it to the last 16 of the FA Cup without conceding a goal in the 2021/22 season.
Writer’s View
Braintree’s signing of Inih Effiong earlier in the week was impressive, but this signing does not fall far behind. Fyfield has played almost 400 games in the fifth tier over the course of his career and will provide leadership and experience to Anglo Harrop’s defence.
Despite his age, the defender still possesses good physical attributes and is very capable in one-on-one situations whilst also being dominant in the air. Although they may be at different stages of their careers, the former Boreham Wood man should be a perfect replacement for Joe Grimwood and a perfect mentor for George Langston, another new signing.
