Terry Fleming
Terry Fleming was very much a John Beck signing. He had started at Coventry City and played in the inaugural Premier League season, but by the time he arrived at Sincil Bank in 1995 he was on the fringes at Preston North End, where he had made just 32 league appearances. He was not coming in as a headline name, more as a midfielder Beck believed could fit the demands of the side he was building.
That judgement proved sound. Fleming quickly became a regular in central midfield and went on to make 183 league appearances for City, far more than he had managed anywhere beforehand. His energy, aggression and willingness to compete made him a natural fit for Beck’s football, and he remained important after Beck’s departure as well.
His best season came in 1997/98, when he featured heavily in the side that won promotion from the Third Division under John Reames and Shane Westley. Preston had seen him largely as a fringe player, but at Sincil Bank he became a dependable fixture for five years, which is exactly the sort of transformation this list is about.
Some great names there from the past including my favourite GH. Goid article.