# Frankie Merrifield

Frankie Edward Peter Merrifield (born 8 January 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for Billericay Town.

## Career
### AFC Wimbledon

Merrifield signed his first professional contract with AFC Wimbledon in December 2011, having joined the club's youth system at the age of 16 two years previously. Merrifield's contract with the club was extended on 18 May 2012. Merrifield made his league debut in a 5–1 defeat by Bradford City on 25 August 2012 as an 87th minute substitute for Christian Jolley. The midfielder scored his first senior goal for AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the 2012–13 Football League Trophy against Southend United on 4 September 2012, although the game ended in a 2–1 defeat after Ryan Cresswell scored for the Shrimpers in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Merrifield made his first league start for the Dons on 8 September 2012 in a 2–0 defeat against Northampton Town. On 30 November 2012, Merrifield was loaned out to Isthmian League Premier Division side Harrow Borough on an initial two-month loan deal along with teammate Emmanuel Akokhia. He made his debut for The Boro in a 0–0 draw with Whitehawk on 1 December 2012. On 8 December 2012, he struck a first-half equaliser for Harrow Borough against East Thurrock United, with the match eventually ending as a 3–2 defeat. On 29 January 2013, Merrifield scored his second league goal in a 3–2 loss to Metropolitan Police. On 4 February 2013, it was announced that Merrifield's loan spell had been extended by a further month. On 4 March 2013, it was announced that Merrifield had returned to AFC Wimbledon. During his loan spell he made ten appearances for Harrow Borough, scoring twice. On 1 July 2013, it was announced that Merrifield had left AFC Wimbledon.

### Hayes & Yeading United

Merrifield featured in two of Hayes & Yeading United's pre-season matches after Phil Babb made his interest in the midfielder known. On 27 July 2013, he scored one goal in the 3–1 victory over Wealdstone, in the 63rd minute. On 15 August, he was announced as one of the club's new summer signings.

### Bishop's Stortford

In October 2014, Merrifield signed for Bishop's Stortford. He scored on his debut against Eastbourne Borough.

### Chelmsford City

On 31 May 2016, Merrifield joined manager Rod Stringer and teammate Anthony Church in the switch from Bishop's Stortford to Chelmsford City.

### Canvey Island

On 30 December 2016, Merrifeld joined Canvey Island on dual registration.
He signed permanently for the Gulls in June 2017. During his time with the club he switched from a midfielder to a striker.

### East Thurrock United

Merrifield spent one year with the Rocks, scoring 17 goals in all competitions before the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

### Bishop's Stortford return

Merrifield rejoined Bishop's Stortford for the 2020–21 season. He spent three years at the club during his second spell, culminating in the team winning the 2022–23 Isthmian League Premier Division, with Merrifield voted Supporters' Player of the Season.

### Billericay Town

In June 2023 after Bishop's Stortford were promoted to the National League North, Merrifield opted to remain in the Isthmian League Premier Division due to family and work commitments, signing with Billericay Town.

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| AFC Wimbledon | 2012–13 | League Two | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Harrow Borough (loan) | 2012–13 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| Hayes & Yeading United | 2013–14 | Conference South | 38 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 3 |
| Hayes & Yeading United | 2014–15 | Conference South | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Hayes & Yeading United | Total | Total | 45 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 2014–15 | Conference South | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 3 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 2015–16 | National League South | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 39 | 4 |
| Bishop's Stortford | Total | Total | 58 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 66 | 7 |
| Chelmsford City | 2016–17 | National League South | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Canvey Island | 2016–17 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 |
| Canvey Island | 2017–18 | Isthmian League Division One North | 42 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 47 | 5 |
| Canvey Island | 2018–19 | Isthmian League Division One North | 38 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 42 | 16 |
| Canvey Island | Total | Total | 101 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 110 | 25 |
| East Thurrock United | 2019–20 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 30 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 36 | 17 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 2020–21 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 8 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 2021–22 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 35 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 21 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 2022–23 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 40 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 45 | 24 |
| Bishop's Stortford | Total | Total | 81 | 46 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 98 | 53 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 338 | 91 | 14 | 4 | 34 | 13 | 386 | 108 |
* ↑ Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
* ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy; one appearance in Middlesex Senior Cup
* ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy; one appearance in Hertfordshire Senior Cup
* ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy; two appearances one goal in Hertfordshire Senior Cup; two appearances two goals in Hertfordshire Charity Cup
* ↑ Appearance(s) in Essex Senior Cup
* ↑ This season was on dual-registration with Chelmsford City
* ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Isthmian League Cup; two appearances in Isthmian League Division One North play-offs
* ↑ Two appearances two goals in FA Trophy; one appearance in Isthmian League Cup
* ↑ Two appearances one goal in FA Trophy; one appearance one goal in Isthmian League Cup; one appearance in Essex Senior Cup
* ↑ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
* ↑ Two appearances two goals in FA Trophy; one appearance in Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs
* ↑ Three appearances one goal in FA Trophy; one appearance one goal in Hertfordshire Senior Cup