Kevin Wilkin (born 1 October 1967) is an English manager and former professional footballer. He is the manager of AFC Telford United.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin Wilkin[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 1967[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Cambridge, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | AFC Telford United (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Cambridge City | |||
| 1990–1995 | Northampton Town[2] | 78 | (11) |
| 1995–1997 | Rushden & Diamonds | ||
| 1997–1998 | Nuneaton Borough | ||
| 1998–2002 | Cambridge City | ||
| 2002–2004 | Grantham Town | ||
| 2004–2008 | Nuneaton Borough | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2006–2014 | Nuneaton Borough | ||
| 2014–2015 | Wrexham | ||
| 2015–2022 | Brackley Town | ||
| 2022– | AFC Telford United | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
editBorn in Cambridge but raised in the Cambridgeshire village of Milton, Wilkin started his career with hometown side Cambridge City, before moving into the Football League and turning professional with Northampton Town. Later spells followed with Rushden and Diamonds, Nuneaton Borough, Cambridge City and Grantham Town, before returning to Nuneaton as player/assistant manager to Roger Ashby in 2004.
Managerial career
editNuneaton Borough
editFollowing the sacking of Ashby in 2006, he was appointed caretaker manager and was subsequently given the job on a permanent basis. After Nuneaton Borough were liquidated at the end of the 2007–08 season he was appointed manager of the reformed club,. He guided the team to a second-place finish in the Southern League Division One Midlands and promotion at the first attempt, beating Chasetown in the play-off final. The next season, he guided the team to a second successive promotion, beating Chippenham Town in the play-off final after finishing second in the Southern League Premier Division. In 2012, Nuneaton Borough finished the season in fifth place in the Conference North and won the play-off final, after beating Gainsborough Trinity 1–0, guiding them back to the Conference Premier after a nine-year absence.[citation needed]
Wrexham
editWilkin was appointed manager of Nuneaton's Conference Premier rivals Wrexham on a two-year contract on 20 March 2014. Wilkin's first game in charge was against Salisbury City, where his new side drew 1–1. He made changes to the squad early, by re-signing former youngster Bradley Reid on loan, whilst releasing Brett Ormerod. He saw out the season finishing in a club record low place of 17th.[citation needed]
Over the summer of 2014 he completely re-shaped the club, releasing Robert Ogleby, Kyle Parle, David Artell, Jay Colback and Joe Anyinsah, Kevin Thornton and Stephen Wright and Leon Clowes. Although Wilkin made attempts to negotiate renewing contracts, Johnny Hunt and Joslain Mayebi left the club. His recruitment was successful over the summer, with Blaine Hudson the first arrival from Cambridge United. More followed as Wes York and Louis Moult followed from former club Nuneaton. Others included Manny Smith, Connor Jennings and Dan Bachmann on loan from Stoke City. The season began with a win over Dartford, with Wes York bagging a brace. But the first home game of the season saw Wrexham lose 3–0 to Gateshead.[3]
League form dipped over the season, but an FA Cup run saw Wrexham reach the 3rd round, where they faced Stoke City. Mark Carrington gave Wrexham the lead against the Premier League side, but they went on to lose 3–1. Wilkin used the loan system, bringing in the likes of Scott Tancock (Swansea City), Joe Thompson (Bury), Jon Flatt (Wolves), Dan Holman (Colchester United), Sam Finley (TNS), Johnny Hunt (Cambridge United), James Pearson (Leicester City) and Kieron Morris (Walsall). Wilkin's successes in the cups continued in the FA Trophy, as he reached the Semi-Final against Torquay United. Wrexham beat them in both the home and away tie to progress to Wembley Stadium.[4]
Although doing well in the Trophy, Wrexham's form dipped, winning just twice in the seven games between the semi and the final. At Wembley Wrexham faced North Ferriby United, a part-time side from the Conference North. Wrexham lead 2–0 through Louis Moult and Jay Harris. But United came back to level at 2–2, before extra-time and penalties saw the FA Trophy go North Ferriby's way. This would be Wilkin's last game, as he was sacked by the board less than 24 hours later.[5]
Brackley Town
editOn 21 September 2015, Wilkin was appointed manager of National League North club Brackley Town.[6] On 20 May 2018, Brackley defeated National League club Bromley in the 2018 FA Trophy Final to lift the trophy for the first time in the club's history.[7]
On 29 September 2022, Wilkin was sacked as manager with the club sitting in eighth position in the league.[8]
AFC Telford United
editOn 10 October 2022, Wilkin was appointed manager at AFC Telford United. [9]
Honours
editWrexham
Brackley Town
References
edit- ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1995). The 1995–96 Official P.F.A. Footballers Factfile. Random House. p. 252. ISBN 9780091808549.
- ^ Northampton Town 1946/47 – 2008/09, UK A-Z Transfers.
- ^ "Wrexham 0-3 Gateshead". BBC Sport.
- ^ "The Leader - Torquay United Wrexham FC". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Manager Wilkin sacked by Wrexham". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Brackley Town announce Kevin Wilkin as new manager". 21 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Brackley 1-1 Bromley (Brackley win 5-4 on penalties): Brackley win FA Trophy after shootout". Sky Sports. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Club Statement - Kevin Wilkin". www.brackleytownfc.com. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Club Statement: Kevin Wilkin". 10 October 2022.
- ^ Aled Williams (29 March 2015). "North Ferriby United 3–3 Wrexham (5–4 on pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
External links
edit- Kevin Wilkin at Soccerbase
- Kevin Wilkin management career statistics at Soccerbase
