Despite the fact that he’s only just turned 24 years of age, Fraser Hornby already has a fascinating football story to tell.
The former Everton striker is the latest guest in our Bred a Blue podcast series that features former Academy players.
Hornby made just one senior appearance for the Blues, but he’s played top-flight football in Belgium, France, Scotland and now Germany.
His current club is SC Darmstadt who are adjusting to life in the Bundesliga after promotion last season.
Hornby started his youth career at Northampton Town but was considered good enough to command a fee from Everton when he was just 15.
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“I always wanted the next challenge in my career, so it wasn’t really pressure,” he recalls. “I was really looking forward to going into that environment for a top team in a top league. I relished the challenge.”
His big moment came in Cyprus in December 2017 when Everton played Appolon Limassol in the Europa League. The Blues had already been eliminated so Craig Shakespeare took an inexperienced squad for the tie.
Initially, Hornby was named on the bench but when Stephen Duke McKenna injured Sandro Ramirez during a training session he was elevated to the starting eleven!
Anthony Gordon, Harry Charsley, Alex Denny and Nathan Broadhead all made their debuts that night and Hornby was frustrated that he didn’t get another opportunity with the senior team.
“I wanted more and more and I wanted to kick on from it. I had a chance in the game and I still look back and think I could have scored," he continued.
“It didn’t work out the way I wanted to, which was down to a number of reasons. Maybe a little bit of luck along the way.
“The biggest impact I had with the first team was when Sam Allardyce was in charge. I was in and around the first team every day and I travelled to a couple of Premier League games with the squad, which was good at the time. I felt that had he stayed on a bit longer I would have got my chance.”
After a loan spell with Kortrijk in Belgium, Hornby signed a permanent deal with French side, Reims, in 2020.
A further loan spell at Aberdeen ensued, which he reflects on with disappointment, especially as he is still Scotland’s record Under-21 goalscorer with ten goals from his 18 appearances.
At international level he worked with head coach, and former Everton midfielder, Scot Gemmill.
“He’s got a really good reputation with the SFA and he’s one of the best coaches I’ve worked with," he added.
Hornby joined Darmstadt 98 in 2023 and insists that he still hasn’t given up hope of forcing his way into the senior Scotland squad one day.
Listen to Bred A Blue below or by clicking here. To catch up on other episodes of Bred A Blue, featuring names including Ian Bishop, Matthew Pennington and Keith Southern, click here.
