Kevin Wilkin

Kevin Wilkin (born 1 October 1967) is an English manager and former professional footballer. He is the current manager of Brackley Town.

Kevin Wilkin
Personal information
Full name Kevin Wilkin[1]
Date of birth (1967-10-01) 1 October 1967[1]
Place of birth Cambridge, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
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
Teams managed
2006–2014 Nuneaton Town
2014–2015 Wrexham
2015– Brackley Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Born 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

Nuneaton Town

Following 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, now known as Nuneaton Town. 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 Town 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.

Wrexham

Wilkin 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.

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

On 21 September 2015, Wilkin was appointed manager of National League North club Brackley Town.[6]

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1995). The 1995–96 Official P.F.A. Footballers Factfile. Random House. p. 252. ISBN 9780091808549.
  2. Northampton Town 1946/47 – 2008/09, UK A-Z Transfers.
  3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28652738
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32119107
  6. http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/conference-north-step-two/13763/brackley-town-announce-kevin-wilkin-as-new-manager/
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