Fairhurst made his debut for Doncaster Rovers in a 1–0 loss against Coventry City in March 2009, coming on as substitute for Mark Wilson in the 84th minute.[1] He made his home debut one month later in the 2–0 win against Crystal Palace, replacing Kazenga LuaLua with half an hour to go and setting up James Hayter for the second goal.[2] In the 2009–10 season, Fairhurst made his first start for the club against West Bromwich Albion and managed to score seven minutes into the game.[3] His second start came against Ipswich Town, during which he once again opened the scoring.[4]
In October 2009, Fairhurst signed for Shrewsbury Town on a one-month loan deal.[5] He equalised for Shrewsbury Town on his debut against Aldershot.[6] He scored again to help Shrewsbury Town beat Telford United 2–1 and regain the Shropshire Senior Cup.[7] Later his loan deal was extended until early January 2010.[8] Fairhurst scored his fourth league goal for the Shrews during the home match against Macclesfield Town on Boxing Day,[9] but picked up a foot injury in the same match. With this expected to keep him sidelined for three weeks, Shrewsbury decided not to extend the loan deal further.[10]
On 6 October 2010, Fairhurst joined Southend United on a one-month loan deal. On 10 February 2011 he joined Hereford United on an initial months loan, scoring twice on his debut against Cheltenham Town.[11]
On 19 July 2011, it was confirmed that Fairhurst had signed a two-year contract with Macclesfield Town.[12]
Fairhurst signed on a free transfer for Lincoln City on 17 May 2013.[13]
On 31 January 2014, Fairhurst rejoined Macclesfield Town on a one-month loan deal, having only left the club six months earlier. After being released by Lincoln in March, he finished the season with Whitehawk in the Conference South.[14] He rejoined Macclesfield on a permanent deal in the summer,[14] finishing the 2014–15 season as the club's leading goalscorer with 13 goals in all competitions.[15]
In January 2018 he joined Brighouse Town FC.[20] In March 2018, he moved on to join Sheffield FC.[21] Fairhurst was on the move again in November 2018 when he joined Handsworth FC,[22] scoring 11 goals in 24 games[23] (10 goals in 22 games in the league).[24][25] He then had a short spell at Maltby Main,[26] before returning to Handsworth on 21 September 2019.[23] One month later, Fairhurst left Handsworth having played three games in all competitions without scoring.[27][28][29][30] He joined Barton Town,[31] scoring five goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.[32]
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition