Lee Sinnott
Encyclopedia
Lee Sinnott is an English former professional footballer turned football manager, who is in charge at Conference North
side Altrincham
.
As a player, he was a defender
for Walsall
, Watford
, Bradford City
, Crystal Palace
, Huddersfield Town
, Oldham Athletic
and Scarborough
. His biggest impact was at Bradford City, where he stayed for five years over two spells, making over 200 appearances. He made 505 appearances in the Football League, and over 600 appearances in all competitions. He played in the 1984 FA Cup Final
for Watford, taking home a runners-up medal.
He achieved enormous success as manager of Farsley Celtic
, most notably winning promotion three times in four seasons, which was followed by a short spell at league
club Port Vale
. He managed Bradford Park Avenue
for ten months in 2009, before returning to the game with Altrincham in 2011.
, Walsall
, he began his career at Walsall
as an apprentice, signing professional in 1982. He made 40 first-team appearances in his first season at Fellows Park
before joining First Division
Watford
. At the end of his first season, when still only 18 years old, he played in the 1984 FA Cup Final
against Everton
at Wembley Stadium, collecting a runners-up medal. He helped Watford reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup
three seasons later.
In 1987, Sinnott moved down a division to Bradford City
. In his first season he helped the "Bantams" qualify for the Second Division
playoffs, but their promotion bid failed and two years later they were relegated. Sinnott spent one season in the Third Division
before moving to First Division side Crystal Palace
. He was unable to establish a regular place in the first team and after two years he returned to Bradford.
When Sinnott returned to Valley Parade
over the summer of 1993, Bradford were still in the third tier of the English league. He played in most of their first-team games that season, but the "Bantams" missed out on the play-offs and manager Frank Stapleton
was sacked. Sinnott followed his manager out of the exit door and signed for local rivals Huddersfield Town
. He was made captain of Neil Warnock
's team, and guided them to the Second Division play-off victory in his first season. He spent two more seasons in West Yorkshire
before crossing the Pennines
and signing for Oldham Athletic
, who had just been relegated to the Second Division.
Sinnott played 31 games over two seasons at Boundary Park
, but Oldham struggled in a division that they had been expected to win promotion from, and in Sinnott's second season they narrowly avoided relegation to the Third Division. A year earlier, he had been loaned back to Bradford, but the move was not made permanent.
The 1998–99 campaign proved to be Lee Sinnott's final season as a Football League player. Upon its conclusion he moved to Scarborough
, who had just been relegated to the Football Conference
, and played 22 games in one season for a side who finished fourth in the country's highest non-league division. He then retired from playing after a career spanning almost 20 years.
in June 2003. His first success with the club was a third-place finish in the Northern Premier League First Division
in 2003–04, which earned the club promotion to the Northern Premier League
.
Sinnott would have achieved another promotion in his second season at Throstle Nest
as Farsley topped the Northern Premier League
at the end of the season
. However this was only on the FA
's decision that Spennymoor United
's records were expunged after they folded. The other clubs in the promotion mix appealed and the FA reversed their decision to expunge the results, leaving Farsley in third place and having to compete in the play-offs. Despite a 1–0 semi final win over Whitby Town
, they lost in the final to Workington
on penalties.
Another promotion was achieved in 2005–06, as Sinnott and Farsley bounced back from their play-off set-back. This time Farsley finished fourth in the regulation season before defeating Marine
1–0 and then North Ferriby United
2–1 in the final. Sinnott also added the West Riding County Cup to Farsley's trophy cabinet for the tenth time in the club's history, as they made it a double winning campaign in 2005–06.
Sinnott then steered the club to a third promotion in four seasons when Farsley finished fifth in the Conference North
in 2006–07, and won promotion to the Conference National
again via the play-offs. Farsley beat favourites Kettering Town
in the semi final and then Hinckley United
in the final at Burton Albion's
Pirelli Stadium
. In the final Farsley Celtic had been 3–2 down with just over ten minutes remaining before two late goals saw a remarkable comeback and a 4–3 victory.
Farsley's three promotions under Sinnott and the declines of Bradford City
and their local rivals Leeds United
meant that just one and two divisions separated Farsley from its neighbours, when seven years ago six divisions separated them.
team Port Vale
, and on 1 November 2007 Farsley Celtic's chairman Andrew Firbank told fans that Sinnott would soon be leaving the club. However, hours later, confusion arose when Sinnott denied resigning. Five days later he was named the new Port Vale manager, ending the speculation about his future. Prominent backroom staff member Dean Glover
had hoped to gain the management spot himself, and so pondered resigning from the club, but eventually chose to remain as Sinnott's assistant. In his first league game in charge Sinnott lost to local rivals Crewe Alexandra
. Sinnott achieved his first win in charge of the club at Morecambe
in the FA Cup
First Round, with Port Vale winning 2–0. However the Second Round held embarrassment for both Sinnott and the club, as Southern Football League
Chasetown
(an eighth tier team 101 league places below the Vale) pick up a 1–1 draw at Vale Park
, before making a giant-killing with a late goal on their home ground, after Luke Rodgers
missed two penalties. Sinnott warned of big changes at the club. He signed Chasetown duo Chris Slater
and Kyle Perry
, and heavily exploited the loan market. He ultimately proved unable to save the club from relegation, and they were relegated
on 12 April 2008. With only 38 points from 46 games, they finished ahead of bottom-placed Luton Town
only thanks to a ten point deduction inflicted upon Luton. In the summer ten players left or were offloaded by Sinnott, as he attempted to make room for new signings.
To make a success of the 2008–09
season, Sinnott brought in former Hereford United
defender John McCombe
, and former Middlesbrough
midfielder Steve Thompson
. Both players cited Sinnott as their reason for joining the club. He also added experienced defender Sam Stockley
(Wycombe Wanderers
); attacker Rob Taylor
(Nuneaton Borough); midfielder Anthony Griffith
(Doncaster Rovers
); and attacking midfielder Louis Dodds
(Leicester City
) to the squad. Lee Collins
also joined on an extended loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers
, and would sign a permanent contract with the club in January. He appointed Stockley as his captain. However the team continued to struggle, and a 4–1 home defeat to Macclesfield Town
on 20 September would prove to be Sinnott's last game in charge. He was sacked two days later, with the "Valiants" lying in 16th place. Three months on from his sacking, the club were yet to reach a compensation settlement with Sinnott, before an agreement was reached in February 2009. The club went on to finish the season in 18th place under Dean Glover. Despite the poor results Vale picked up during his reign, many of Sinnott's signings would become key players for the club over the next few seasons.
at the end of 2008. The club were unwilling to pursue the interest because of Sinnott's unresolved contract with Port Vale, and instead appointed his former Farsley assistant and successor John Deacey. However, despite Sinnott still taking legal action against Port Vale, Park Avenue appointed Sinnott as their new manager just one month later; Avenue were 11th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division
at the time of his appointment, with Deacey standing aside to become Sinnott's assistant once again. Sinnott's first game ended in a 2–0 defeat to Eastwood Town
. By the end of the season Avenue were in seventh place, two points and two places outside the play-off zone.
He left by mutual consent in October 2009, after a summer spending spree failed to produce results on the pitch for the 2009–10
season. Avenue recovered to finish the season in second place under Deacey, though lost to Boston United
in the play-off final.
, a club that had just been relegated from the Conference National
into the Conference North
.
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
As a player, he was a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
, Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
and Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
. His biggest impact was at Bradford City, where he stayed for five years over two spells, making over 200 appearances. He made 505 appearances in the Football League, and over 600 appearances in all competitions. He played in the 1984 FA Cup Final
1984 FA Cup Final
The 1984 FA Cup Final was contested by Everton and Watford at Wembley. Everton won 2–0, with one goal by Graeme Sharp and a particularly memorable goal from Andy Gray. He was adjudged by many to have fouled the Watford goalkeeper Steve Sherwood by heading the ball from Sherwood's hands....
for Watford, taking home a runners-up medal.
He achieved enormous success as manager of Farsley Celtic
Farsley Celtic A.F.C.
Farsley Celtic Association Football Club was an English football club based in Farsley, in the City of Leeds. The club was known by the nicknames of the Villagers and the Celts; their colours were blue and white. Founded in 1908, the club spent their entire existence in non-league football, winning...
, most notably winning promotion three times in four seasons, which was followed by a short spell at league
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
club Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. He managed Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
for ten months in 2009, before returning to the game with Altrincham in 2011.
Playing career
Born in AldridgeAldridge
Aldridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, in the West Midlands, England. Historically it was part of the county of Staffordshire, but in 1974 it was incorporated into the Walsall borough as well as the West Midlands county.- History :...
, Walsall
Walsall
Walsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
, he began his career at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
as an apprentice, signing professional in 1982. He made 40 first-team appearances in his first season at Fellows Park
Fellows Park
Fellows Park was a football stadium in Walsall, England. It was the home ground of Walsall F.C. from 1896 till 1990, when the team moved to the Bescot Stadium....
before joining First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. At the end of his first season, when still only 18 years old, he played in the 1984 FA Cup Final
1984 FA Cup Final
The 1984 FA Cup Final was contested by Everton and Watford at Wembley. Everton won 2–0, with one goal by Graeme Sharp and a particularly memorable goal from Andy Gray. He was adjudged by many to have fouled the Watford goalkeeper Steve Sherwood by heading the ball from Sherwood's hands....
against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
at Wembley Stadium, collecting a runners-up medal. He helped Watford reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
three seasons later.
In 1987, Sinnott moved down a division to Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. In his first season he helped the "Bantams" qualify for the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
playoffs, but their promotion bid failed and two years later they were relegated. Sinnott spent one season in the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
before moving to First Division side Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. He was unable to establish a regular place in the first team and after two years he returned to Bradford.
When Sinnott returned to Valley Parade
Valley Parade
Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association...
over the summer of 1993, Bradford were still in the third tier of the English league. He played in most of their first-team games that season, but the "Bantams" missed out on the play-offs and manager Frank Stapleton
Frank Stapleton
Francis Anthony "Frank" Stapleton is an Irish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland...
was sacked. Sinnott followed his manager out of the exit door and signed for local rivals Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. He was made captain of Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
's team, and guided them to the Second Division play-off victory in his first season. He spent two more seasons in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
before crossing the Pennines
Pennines
The Pennines are a low-rising mountain range, separating the North West of England from Yorkshire and the North East.Often described as the "backbone of England", they form a more-or-less continuous range stretching from the Peak District in Derbyshire, around the northern and eastern edges of...
and signing for Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, who had just been relegated to the Second Division.
Sinnott played 31 games over two seasons at Boundary Park
Boundary Park
Boundary Park is the main sports stadium of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies at the northwestern extremity of Oldham, with the towns of Royton and Chadderton lying immediately north and west respectively, giving rise to the name Boundary Park....
, but Oldham struggled in a division that they had been expected to win promotion from, and in Sinnott's second season they narrowly avoided relegation to the Third Division. A year earlier, he had been loaned back to Bradford, but the move was not made permanent.
The 1998–99 campaign proved to be Lee Sinnott's final season as a Football League player. Upon its conclusion he moved to Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
, who had just been relegated to the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
, and played 22 games in one season for a side who finished fourth in the country's highest non-league division. He then retired from playing after a career spanning almost 20 years.
Farsley Celtic
Sinnott was not out of football for long, and moved into management with non-league Farsley CelticFarsley Celtic A.F.C.
Farsley Celtic Association Football Club was an English football club based in Farsley, in the City of Leeds. The club was known by the nicknames of the Villagers and the Celts; their colours were blue and white. Founded in 1908, the club spent their entire existence in non-league football, winning...
in June 2003. His first success with the club was a third-place finish in the Northern Premier League First Division
Northern Premier League First Division
The Northern Premier League First Division was a football league covering the north of England. After the creation of Conference North/South in the 2004-05 season it sat at level 8 of the English football league system....
in 2003–04, which earned the club promotion to the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
.
Sinnott would have achieved another promotion in his second season at Throstle Nest
Throstle Nest
Throstle Nest is a football ground situated adjacent to a new housing development, that was the home of Farsley Celtic football club, in Farsley in the Metropolitan District of the City of Leeds from 1948 to 2010. It has a capacity of 3,900 of which 400 are seated...
as Farsley topped the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
at the end of the season
2004–05 Northern Premier League
The 2004–05 Northern Premier League season was the 37th in the history of the Northern Premier League, a football competition in England. Teams were divided into two divisions; the Premier and the First...
. However this was only on the FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
's decision that Spennymoor United
Spennymoor United F.C.
Spennymoor United F.C. was an English association football club based in Spennymoor, County Durham.In 1905, they joined the Northern League and won the league title six times in their history. In the 1936-37 season, they reached the third round of the FA Cup, where they lost to top-flight side West...
's records were expunged after they folded. The other clubs in the promotion mix appealed and the FA reversed their decision to expunge the results, leaving Farsley in third place and having to compete in the play-offs. Despite a 1–0 semi final win over Whitby Town
Whitby Town F.C.
Whitby Town Football Club is an English football club based in Whitby, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football...
, they lost in the final to Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
on penalties.
Another promotion was achieved in 2005–06, as Sinnott and Farsley bounced back from their play-off set-back. This time Farsley finished fourth in the regulation season before defeating Marine
Marine F.C.
Marine Football Club is an English football club in Crosby, Merseyside. The club, which was founded in 1894, is a member of both the Liverpool County and Lancashire County Football Associations, and currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.Marine is notable for having the...
1–0 and then North Ferriby United
North Ferriby United A.F.C.
North Ferriby United Association Football Club is an English football club based in North Ferriby, near Kingston upon Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. They were formed in 1934. They reached the Northern Premier League Premier Division for the first time in 2005...
2–1 in the final. Sinnott also added the West Riding County Cup to Farsley's trophy cabinet for the tenth time in the club's history, as they made it a double winning campaign in 2005–06.
Sinnott then steered the club to a third promotion in four seasons when Farsley finished fifth in the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
in 2006–07, and won promotion to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
again via the play-offs. Farsley beat favourites Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
in the semi final and then Hinckley United
Hinckley United F.C.
Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 14 years...
in the final at Burton Albion's
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
Pirelli Stadium
Pirelli Stadium
The Pirelli Stadium is an association football stadium on Princess Way in Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, England. It was built in 2005 and is the current home of Burton Albion F.C., replacing the club's old Eton Park home, also on Princess Way, which was demolished and developed into housing...
. In the final Farsley Celtic had been 3–2 down with just over ten minutes remaining before two late goals saw a remarkable comeback and a 4–3 victory.
Farsley's three promotions under Sinnott and the declines of Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and their local rivals Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
meant that just one and two divisions separated Farsley from its neighbours, when seven years ago six divisions separated them.
Port Vale
In October 2007, Sinnott was linked with the vacant job at League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
team Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, and on 1 November 2007 Farsley Celtic's chairman Andrew Firbank told fans that Sinnott would soon be leaving the club. However, hours later, confusion arose when Sinnott denied resigning. Five days later he was named the new Port Vale manager, ending the speculation about his future. Prominent backroom staff member Dean Glover
Dean Glover
Dean Victor Glover is an English former footballer and football manager. A cultured and stylish defender, he had the ball control skills of a midfielder. He played 457 league games in a seventeen year career in the Football League.He started his career at Aston Villa in 1980, before he moved on to...
had hoped to gain the management spot himself, and so pondered resigning from the club, but eventually chose to remain as Sinnott's assistant. In his first league game in charge Sinnott lost to local rivals Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
. Sinnott achieved his first win in charge of the club at Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
First Round, with Port Vale winning 2–0. However the Second Round held embarrassment for both Sinnott and the club, as Southern Football League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
Chasetown
Chasetown F.C.
Chasetown Football Club is an English football club based in the Chasetown area of Burntwood, Staffordshire. The club currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and is nicknamed The Scholars, having been formed by affiliates of nearby Chase Terrace High School in the Chase...
(an eighth tier team 101 league places below the Vale) pick up a 1–1 draw at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
, before making a giant-killing with a late goal on their home ground, after Luke Rodgers
Luke Rodgers
Luke John Rodgers is an English professional football striker who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.He played in England's Football League, starting at Shrewsbury Town in 1999...
missed two penalties. Sinnott warned of big changes at the club. He signed Chasetown duo Chris Slater
Chris Slater
Christopher James "Chris" Slater is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Chasetown....
and Kyle Perry
Kyle Perry
Kyle Blain Perry is an English footballer who plays for Lincoln City as a striker.Failing to make the first team at Walsall, he dropped into non-league circles before impressing when non-league Chasetown knocked Port Vale out of the FA Cup. Failing to score for the Vale, he dropped down into the...
, and heavily exploited the loan market. He ultimately proved unable to save the club from relegation, and they were relegated
2007–08 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2007–08 season was Port Vale's ninety-sixth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League One. Vale finished second-from-bottom, and were relegated, some twelve points from safety. Manager Martin Foyle left the club in September, and Lee Sinnott failed to...
on 12 April 2008. With only 38 points from 46 games, they finished ahead of bottom-placed Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
only thanks to a ten point deduction inflicted upon Luton. In the summer ten players left or were offloaded by Sinnott, as he attempted to make room for new signings.
To make a success of the 2008–09
2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-seventh season of football in the Football League, and first season in League Two, following their relegation from League One. After a poor start to the season manager Lee Sinnott was sacked in September, and was replaced by Dean Glover. Despite a brief...
season, Sinnott brought in former Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
defender John McCombe
John McCombe
John Paul McCombe is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. His brother Jamie is also a professional footballer....
, and former Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
midfielder Steve Thompson
Steve Thompson (footballer born 1989)
Stephen "Steve" Thompson is an English footballer who is a striker currently playing for Northern Premier League Division One North side Durham City....
. Both players cited Sinnott as their reason for joining the club. He also added experienced defender Sam Stockley
Sam Stockley
Samuel Joshua "Sam" Stockley is an English footballer currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division....
(Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
); attacker Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor (footballer)
Robert James "Rob" Taylor is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He plays on the left flank and is known for his pace and dribbling ability....
(Nuneaton Borough); midfielder Anthony Griffith
Anthony Griffith
Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team...
(Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
); and attacking midfielder Louis Dodds
Louis Dodds
Louis Bartholomew Dodds is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play either as a midfielder or as a striker....
(Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
) to the squad. Lee Collins
Lee Collins (footballer born 1988)
Lee Harvey Collins is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is a defender who can play as either a centre-back or as a full-back....
also joined on an extended loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, and would sign a permanent contract with the club in January. He appointed Stockley as his captain. However the team continued to struggle, and a 4–1 home defeat to Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
on 20 September would prove to be Sinnott's last game in charge. He was sacked two days later, with the "Valiants" lying in 16th place. Three months on from his sacking, the club were yet to reach a compensation settlement with Sinnott, before an agreement was reached in February 2009. The club went on to finish the season in 18th place under Dean Glover. Despite the poor results Vale picked up during his reign, many of Sinnott's signings would become key players for the club over the next few seasons.
Bradford Park Avenue
Sinnott was linked with a vacant position at newly promoted Northern Premier League side Bradford Park AvenueBradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
at the end of 2008. The club were unwilling to pursue the interest because of Sinnott's unresolved contract with Port Vale, and instead appointed his former Farsley assistant and successor John Deacey. However, despite Sinnott still taking legal action against Port Vale, Park Avenue appointed Sinnott as their new manager just one month later; Avenue were 11th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
at the time of his appointment, with Deacey standing aside to become Sinnott's assistant once again. Sinnott's first game ended in a 2–0 defeat to Eastwood Town
Eastwood Town F.C.
Eastwood Town F.C. is a football club from Eastwood, Nottinghamshire formed in 1953, currently playing in the Conference North.-History:Although there was a football club named Eastwood Town operating in the Nottinghamshire Alliance in 1921, its was only in existence for two years. It was not until...
. By the end of the season Avenue were in seventh place, two points and two places outside the play-off zone.
He left by mutual consent in October 2009, after a summer spending spree failed to produce results on the pitch for the 2009–10
2009–10 Northern Premier League
The 2009–10 season was the 42nd season for the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and the third season for the Northern Premier League Division One North and South....
season. Avenue recovered to finish the season in second place under Deacey, though lost to Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
in the play-off final.
Altrincham
In May 2011, Sinnott was announced as the new manager of AltrinchamAltrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
, a club that had just been relegated from the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
into the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
.
Managerial statistics
- As of 25 May 2011.
Team Nat From To Record G W D L Win % Farsley Celtic Farsley Celtic A.F.C.Farsley Celtic Association Football Club was an English football club based in Farsley, in the City of Leeds. The club was known by the nicknames of the Villagers and the Celts; their colours were blue and white. Founded in 1908, the club spent their entire existence in non-league football, winning...
20 June 2003 5 November 2007
Port Vale Port Vale F.C.Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... 5 November 2007 22 September 2008
Bradford Park Avenue Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England... 17 January 2009 15 October 2009
Altrincham Altrincham F.C.Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:... 25 May 2011 present
Total
as a Player
Individual- PFA Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 1990–91
with Huddersfield Town- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
play-off winners: 1994–95
with Watford- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
runner up: 19841984 FA Cup FinalThe 1984 FA Cup Final was contested by Everton and Watford at Wembley. Everton won 2–0, with one goal by Graeme Sharp and a particularly memorable goal from Andy Gray. He was adjudged by many to have fouled the Watford goalkeeper Steve Sherwood by heading the ball from Sherwood's hands....
as a Manager
with Farsley Celtic- Northern Premier League First DivisionNorthern Premier League First DivisionThe Northern Premier League First Division was a football league covering the north of England. After the creation of Conference North/South in the 2004-05 season it sat at level 8 of the English football league system....
third place promotion winner: 2003–04 - Northern Premier LeagueNorthern Premier LeagueThe Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
play–off winner: 2005–06 - West Riding County Cup winner: 2006
- Conference NorthConference NorthThe Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
play–off winner: 2006–07
External links
- PFA Third Division