Lincoln City
The Potential Managers : The "Big 6"
By Nathan Jackson
September 30 2010
With Sincil Bank being one of the few places in the country where a management job is up for grabs, City could get a considerably larger number of applications than usual, in our first look at who's available, we examine the six (well, eight, but you'll see why in a moment) most mentioned by the fans.
ROB SCOTT AND PAUL HURST
Clubs Managed : Ilkeston Town, Boston United
The only names from the non-League consistently mentioned by the fans so far are those of Paul Hurst and Rob Scott, the management duo that has masterminded victories in the last two Unibond Playoff Finals with different clubs.
It started with Ilkeston Town in 2008/9 as they became a team in January 2009. They guided the now-extinct club to victory in the final, with former Imp Simon Weaver scoring the winning goal. They were quickly snapped up by Boston United where they again won promotion in the Playoffs, this time being Bradford Park Avenue.
PROS : At 35 (Hurst) and 37 (Scott), they are certainly young and they are experienced, albeit at a lower level. They will almost certainly be tempted by the prospect of managing at League level and they have a good knowledge of the non-league. Out of all the applicants, they tick the most boxes.
CONS : There's no guarantees that they would want to become professional managers, wanting to keep their day jobs. With Boston considering us their biggest rivals, it could get difficult to agree compensation with the Pilgrims. Although both have experience of playing in the League, neither have managed at this level.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEVE TILSON
Clubs Managed : Southend United
Fans of Lincoln City know all about Steve Tilson. He turned Southend from a team that the Imps beat on a regular basis, to a team that were undefeated against the Imps in five meetings with him as manager, including a win in the Playoff Final.
Whilst at Southend, he also won League One and reached the Playoffs in that division two seasons later, only losing out to eventually promoted Doncaster Rovers.
He has a knowledge of the non-League and found Freddy Eastwood, whom Southend went on to sell for £1.5m.
PROS : Proven at both this level and the level above. Creates teams that are generally difficult to beat and has proven he can find non-League talent. Out of work so he could be keen on a return to management.
CONS : He might not be interested, or at least not in returning to League Two. Like most southerners, he might have no interest in moving north.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVE PENNEY
Clubs Managed : Doncaster Rovers, Darlington, Oldham
If you're looking for success at both non-League and League level, you have to look at Dave Penney. He won back to back promotions with Doncaster, came close on several occasions to getting Darlington promoted before going on to have a tough time at Oldham.
The Imps often struggle to beat Penney managed sides, infact, the Imps have only ever managed to win against a Penney managed side once, way back in January 2004.
PROS : If you're looking at success at various levels, Penney is your man. He sides usually do well and are difficult to beat.
CONS : Non-league knowledge could be considerably out of date given that he hasn't managed at that level since 2003. His only successes have come at clubs with money to splash.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mick Harford and Steve Thompson
Clubs Managed : Nottingham Forest, Rotherham, QPR (twice) and Luton (Harford). Lincoln City, Southend United, Cambridge United and Notts County (Thompson)
The club legends have supposedly gotten together to form a management team if they get the job at Sincil Bank. It is generally believed that Thompson has been desperate to get the job at Sincil Bank for several years, that despite not having a good record as manager in recent times, whereas Harford has rarely put together winning runs at the teams that he has managed.
PROS : Both are club legends and both obviously have a long standing affiliation with the club. Thompson has watched many Lincoln games in recent years and would have a good working knowledge of the players already at the club.
CONS : Neither had good records in their last few jobs, especially Harford. Out of all people in this article, Harford only has a better working knowledge of League Two as it stands that Hurst and Scott.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Foyle
Clubs Managed : Port Vale, York City
Foyle applied for the position of manager at Sincil Bank in the same process that eventually saw Peter Jackson appointed. He had just been released from Port Vale where he did an average job. It was at York City where he had his first major success as a manager, taking them to last season’s Conference Playoff Final. He left York a few weeks ago, and will more than likely be hungry to get straight back into Football.
PROS : Has had success as recently as last season. Knows the non-league.
CONS : More than everyone else mentioned in this article, he would probably be the man who the term “just another job” would apply to. Never managed at this level.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gareth Ainsworth
Clubs Managed : Never permanently managed
Out all of all of those in this article, Ainsworth would arguably the most popular appointment with the fans. Finishing 4th in the list of the club’s all time Legends, Ainsworth would certainly not have any trouble settling in at Sincil Bank. He also has a decent record with QPR whenever he has managed on a caretaker level there, however, he has never managed permanently and although he plays in this division at the moment, his knowledge of the division could be very limited.
PROS : Club legend who has come back to help the club raise money on several occasions, so clearly cares about the club. Is married to a Lincoln girl so his family would have no problem settling in the area. He has a good record when in caretaker roles.
CONS : Would Wycombe be willing to let him go? There’s no guarantee he even wants to be a manager.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
30/09/2010 19:05
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
I personally would like to see Harford and Thommo given a chance. Although Tilson is a good shout!!
He appears to be a practical down to earth manager who wont suffer fools gladly,and there will be no hype.
The Boston duo might be too much of a gamble at the moment.
Steve Thompson has seen more of City than any of them and likes players to play in their positions. Probably in many respects similar to Foyle
Gareth Ainsworth Would be a popular choice and if his team played with the passion Gareth did they will do well
The Holdsworth brothers. Excellent record in Non league. A natural upward step for both.
More Lincoln City headlines
- Imps waste perfect chance to go third
- Gary Taylor-Fletcher signs for LCFC
- Fantastic Farman saves Imps after brilliant team goal
- Fantastic Farman saves Imps after brilliant team goal
- Ex-Imp's autobiography out on October 1st
- Two ex-Imps score in FA Cup
- Reaction to the draw at Barnet
- Nolan saves Imps with last gasp equaliser
- Imps still 4th despite an awful performance
Lincoln City latest threads
- Hello is there anyone there
- Thank you and goodbye once and for all
- Imps waste perfect chance to go third
- Gary Taylor-Fletcher signs for LCFC
- Fantastic Farman saves Imps after brilliant team goal
- Ex-Imp's autobiography out on October 12st
- Barnet's The Hive
- Two ex-Imps score in FA Cup
- Reaction to the draw at Barnet
- Nolan saves Imps with last gasp equaliser