The former Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and Newcastle United winger’s career could be described as a celebration of mediocrity. But what exactly happened to him?

Before having stints at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur Ruel Fox began his career at Norwich City in 1986 and made his debut the same year in a League match against Oxford United. Despite breaking into Norwich City’s first team at a young age he did not establish himself as a regular until 1992/93 season where for the next two years Ruel Fox was an integral part of a decent Norwich City side.

His performances did not go unnoticed and after 173 appearances with 22 goals, the winger was snapped up by Newcastle United. Then manager Kevin Keegan paid £2, 250,000 and claimed Ruel Fox was ‘the best player in this country in his position.’ As ever with Kevin he can get a few things mixed up slightly. Fox’s first season at Newcastle did not exactly set the world alight. He found it difficult to recapture his earlier form at Norwich City. The winger could not hold down a regular spot in a Geordie side that challenging for the title. Having only been at Newcastle just over a season he was promptly moved on to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs paid around £4,250,000 for his services in 1995. Fox spent over five seasons at the White Hart Lane outfit and again found it difficult to maintain a starting berth. His mediocre performances resulted in him appearing only 106 times for the Lilywhites despite spending such a period with the club. In that time he contributed 13 goals. He was constantly linked with moves away from Tottenham Hotspur and in 2000 eventually joined West Brom. Initially a loan deal, the move was made permanent.

Ruel Fox retired from professional football following his release from West Brom in 2002. Having taken a break from the game he turned up as coach and player for the Montserrat national side in 2004. He is of Montserratian descent and furthermore scouted in England for players who could turn out for the tiny Caribbean Island.

Having been inducted in the Norwich City Hall of Fame in 2002, Fox most certainly showed some great potential for the East Anglia club. Unfortunately for himself he never reached those heights again with Newcastle United or Tottenham Hotspur. His mediocrity, especially at Spurs made him something of a cult amongst the White Hart Lane faithful. He took a job as a coach at Ridgeon’s League side Whitton United but has since departed from the role. Ruel Fox now runs a restaurant in his home town of Ipswich.

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