Position: Central defender
Age: 33
Born: Calder, Halifax (Oct 6, 1971)
Date signed: June 30, 1997
Signed from: Oldham, £600,000
City debut: v Wolves H (Aug 9, 1997)
Contract: June 2007
Former clubs: Halifax, Oldham
Season 2004/05 Appearances (max 41): 41 Goals: 1
Career appearances: 330 (19th on all-time list) Goals: 11

Played in every minute of every game last season – a marvellous achievement for a 33-year-old competing at the top level for the first time since his early 20s. It wasn't all plain sailing – far from it – and there were times when Fleming found it difficult to cope. But, by and large, he did a solid job.

Verdict: Fleming still has another year to run on his contract and will be an important member of the squad next season. It remains to be seen if he remains a regular in the starting line-up. Much will depend on whether or not there are any arrivals or departures during the summer.

OFF DUTY (2004):

Marital status: Married, to Nicola.
Children: Katie (9), William (7).
Home: Thorpe End.

Current car: Saab estate.
First car: Vauxhall Astra.

How do you relax away from football: First and foremost by spending time with my wife and the kids – but I also enjoy the occasional game of golf. I didn’t play much during pre-season – I never get on the course then. I also had an injury which didn’t help. But I can play to a reasonable standard – something between nine and 12 handicap – and I had the privilege of playing against Justin Rose earlier in the summer. I enjoyed giving him one or two tips!

Favourite other sport to watch: I’ll watch anything on the telly as the wife will tell you. I’d say cricket and golf are my two favourites.
Favourite television programme: The Office.
Favourite holiday destination: That’s a tricky one. If pushed I’d say Naples, in the United States, and Rome.
Favourite restaurant/eating place: Tommy T’s (with the kids) and Morston Hall.
Favourite read: A Lot Of Hard Yakka by Simon Hughes (the former cricketer and current Channel Four pundit).
Favourite film: Gladiator.
Recommended listening: I’ve got fairly broad tastes – how about Elvis and Lennie Kravitz?

Best thing about living in Norfolk: The quality of life.
Worst thing about living in Norfolk: I’m a long way from home (Yorkshire).

Whose is the first result you look out for: There’s two, Halifax and Oldham, my previous clubs.

What would you have done for a living if you hadn’t made the grade: I would have loved to have been a professional golfer.
What will you do when your playing career is over: I haven’t given it too much thought up to now. I love the game and I’d like to stay in it, maybe in a coaching capacity. But I’d like to think I have got plenty of years left in me as player yet!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

First footballing memory: Kicking a ball around with my brother Paul at a local park. He also went on to be a professional.

First match attended: It would have been a Halifax Town match at the Shay when I was about five or six – but I can’t remember any more than that.

First footballing hero: That’s easy, Bryan Robson. He was just awesome, the complete midfield player I would say. I was fortunate enough to play against him a couple of times when I was with Oldham which was a big thrill.

First team (amateur): Friendly Youth, Halifax.

First team (professional): My home club, Halifax Town.

First team debut: It was during the 1988-89 season against Scunthorpe when I was just 16. I think they just ran out of numbers and threw me in on the bench. My full debut came the following season against Torquay. My brother was also in the side – but the games must have passed me by because I don’t remember the scores.

First manager: That would be Billy Ayre who sadly died not too long ago. He was a lovely man and did an excellent job for a number of other clubs as well as Halifax.

First captain: Paul Futcher, a vastly experienced defender who helped me a lot when I was a youngster starting off in the game.

First goal: I once scored for Halifax in a penalty shoot-out but I suppose that doesn’t count. I only ever scored once before I came here and that was for Oldham against Everton not long after I joined them in 1991. I seem to remember I got the better of Matt Jackson to nod one in.

First game for City: The 2-0 home defeat against Wolves on the opening day of the 1997-8 season. Iwan Roberts and Victor Segura also made their debuts in that game.

First goal: I got off the mark for Norwich in a 5-0 defeat of Huddersfield towards the end of my first season at Carrow Road.

First honour: I waited a long time for it – the 2003-4 First Division Championship!