Andy Ford
Encyclopedia
Andrew Carl "Andy" Ford (born 4 May 1954, Minehead
) is an English
football manager and former professional player. Ford is currently out of football after a 5 month spell managing Maidstone United
.
, Swindon Town
and Gillingham
between 1972 and 1982. He also played for non-league Dartford
.
title in 2001-02 and several Kent Senior Cup
successes, and then kept the side in the Conference Premier for several seasons before his resignation in 2005. He is the club's most successful manager.
Shortly after leaving Gravesend Ford became assistant manager of Stevenage Borough, spending a year at the club before leaving in 2006.
In January 2008 he was appointed manager of Welling United
, a position he kept until his resignation in October 2009.
A year later in October 2010 Ford took over at Isthmian League Premier Division basement side Maidstone United
. However he could not lift the Stones from the foot of the table and he resigned on March 15, 2011 with his side bottom of the league and 8 points adrift from safety.
Minehead
Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football manager and former professional player. Ford is currently out of football after a 5 month spell managing Maidstone United
Maidstone United F.C.
Maidstone United Football Club is an English football team from Maidstone, Kent.The current club is a continuation of the old Maidstone United, which was a member of the Football League between 1989 and 1992. The club was forced out of the league by financial ruin but the youth squad formed the...
.
Playing career
Ford played for Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
and Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
between 1972 and 1982. He also played for non-league Dartford
Dartford F.C.
Dartford F.C. are an English football club based in Dartford, Kent. After finishing as champions of the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season, they compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They finished in 8th position in their first season...
.
Managerial career
Ford's first management job was at Gravesend and Northfleet (now known as Ebbsfleet United). He guided the team to the Isthmian LeagueIsthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
title in 2001-02 and several Kent Senior Cup
Kent Senior Cup
The Kent Senior Cup is an English football competition played between senior clubs in the county of Kent. It is administered by the Kent County Football Association.-History:...
successes, and then kept the side in the Conference Premier for several seasons before his resignation in 2005. He is the club's most successful manager.
Shortly after leaving Gravesend Ford became assistant manager of Stevenage Borough, spending a year at the club before leaving in 2006.
In January 2008 he was appointed manager of Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
, a position he kept until his resignation in October 2009.
A year later in October 2010 Ford took over at Isthmian League Premier Division basement side Maidstone United
Maidstone United F.C.
Maidstone United Football Club is an English football team from Maidstone, Kent.The current club is a continuation of the old Maidstone United, which was a member of the Football League between 1989 and 1992. The club was forced out of the league by financial ruin but the youth squad formed the...
. However he could not lift the Stones from the foot of the table and he resigned on March 15, 2011 with his side bottom of the league and 8 points adrift from safety.