The Thistle Archive

A product of the Celtic youth system, Gary switched to Hamilton Academical where he made his professional debut vs. Livingston in August 2011, just after his 17th birthday. He made 14 first team appearances during the 2012-13 season and had attracted interest from Bolton during the January of that season, but initially rejected a move to the English side. After spending the summer of 2013 at Firhill after leaving Hamilton, Gary featured in the friendly matches against Gateshead and Annan, scoring twice in the 5-1 win over the latter. Bolton though had rekindled their interest in Gary and he signed a two year contract with the Championship side. He was however, allowed to return to Thistle on loan and, after spending the first half of the season at Firhill, he returned on a permanent basis in January 2014, signing a two and a half year deal. Gary scored twice during his first season at Firhill including a vital goal-of-the-season in the match at Tynecastle which secured safety in the Premiership. Gary signed an extended contract until 2017.

Gary started the 2014/15 season on fire with a very strong performance against Ross County, before a series of injuries disrupted his progression. He would endure a disappointing season in 2014/15, a fractured knee cap bringing to an end his impressive early season form. After working his way back into the first team picture he found himself out of the side as manager Alan Archibald tweaked his side following a poor run of form. The start of the 2015/16 season was equally frustrating for Gary as he suffered an ankle injury in early August which sidelined him for a lengthy spell, forcing him to watch on from the stands.

Gary was loaned to Championship club Greenock Morton in March 2018. Partick Thistle were relegated via the play-offs at the end of that season and, following that relegation, Gary was one of many players released by the club. During the 2018 close season, Fraser signed for Forfar Athletic and later that season he signed for Cowdenbeath. He moved on to Peterhead for season 2019-20 where he was settled and back in good form but, with 40 appearances under his belt he was derailed once again just before Christmas 2020 with another serious knee injury. The Blue Toon and Fraser’s colleagues in the game rallied to raise funds for private operations, with the excess monies being donated to mental health charity Back Onside, for whom Fraser is an ambassador.

Peterhead manager Jim McInally sold his prized Dundee United jersey from the 1987 UEFA Cup Final and raised £6,600. Si Ferry’s promotion winning Swindon shirt as well as Hibs star Kevin Nisbet’s shirt that he scored his first Scotland goal in also helped greatly. Gary recovered to play another 8 games for Peterhead as season 2021-22 drew to a close. He was persuaded to join Si Ferry's Broomhill in May 2022 and subsequently enjoyed a season with Glenafton Athletic in 2023-24 and Benburb in 2024-25, with one or three 30-yard wonderstrikes still being registered along the way!