Lee Sinnott
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Lee Sinnott[1] | ||
Date of birth | 12 July 1965 | ||
Place of birth | Pelsall, England[2] | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Youth career | |||
19??–1982 | Walsall | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1982–1983 | Walsall | 40 | (2) |
1983–1987 | Watford | 78 | (2) |
1987–1991 | Bradford City | 173 | (6) |
1991–1993 | Crystal Palace | 55 | (0) |
1993–1994 | Bradford City | 34 | (1) |
1994–1997 | Huddersfield Town | 87 | (1) |
1997–1999 | Oldham Athletic | 31 | (0) |
1998 | → Bradford City (loan) | 7 | (0) |
1999–2000 | Scarborough | 22 | (0) |
Total | 527 | (12) | |
International career | |||
1985 | England U21 | 1 | (0) |
Managerial career | |||
2003–2007 |
Farsley Celtic | ||
2007–2008 | Port Vale | ||
2009 |
Bradford Park Avenue | ||
2011–2016 | Altrincham | ||
2018–2019 | Gainsborough Trinity | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Lee Sinnott (born 12 July 1965) is an English professional football manager and former player who was most recently manager of Gainsborough Trinity.
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 English Football League, and 653 appearances in all competitions. He played in the 1984 FA Cup final for Watford, taking home a runners-up medal.
As manager of
Playing career
Born in Aldridge, Staffordshire, 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 he was sold to First Division runners-up Watford for a £130,000 fee in September 1983.[4] His final appearance for the "Saddlers" came in an 8–1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers.[4] There he was coached by Steve Harrison, John Ward and Graham Taylor, whilst playing alongside veteran centre-back Steve Terry.[4] He established himself in the first-team following Ian Bolton's departure and an injuries to Steve Sims and Paul Franklin.[4] 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.[4] However, he went on to lose his place to new signing John McClelland and had to fit into the team as a full-back and at left midfield during the 1984–85 season.[4] He helped Watford reach the semifinals of the FA Cup in the 1986–87 campaign and played at left-back across from Chris Waddle in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.[4]
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 for a £300,000 fee on 8 August 1991.[2] He was unable to establish a regular place in the first-team and after two years he returned to Bradford on 9 December 1993.[2]
When Sinnott returned to Valley Parade, 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 local rivals 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 Sinnott's final season as a Football League player. Upon its conclusion he moved to Scarborough, who had just been relegated to the 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.
Style of play
Sinnott was a quick, athletic and versatile defender who boasted excellent long ball throwing ability.
Managerial career
Farsley Celtic
Sinnott was not out of football for long, and moved into management with
Sinnott would have achieved another promotion in his second season at
"I know the players aren't feeling that way at this moment in time – they are hurting – but they should be proud of themselves. Once the dust settles they can look back and realise they could have got promoted this season – twice. I couldn't have asked for any more from them. They have shown they have got what it takes to win this league and operate at a higher level. It's a long drive home but at least I can make it knowing we will move on from here without a shadow of a doubt."
— Sinnott remained full of positive energy despite the play-off defeat.[6]
Another promotion was achieved in
The 2006–07 season saw Sinnott steer Farsley to a third promotion in four seasons. Despite finishing fifth in the Conference North, Lee lead the club to victory in the playoffs ensuring Farsley Celtic's first ever appearance in the top flight of Non-League. In the play off campaign, Farsley beat favourites Kettering Town in the semifinal, before going on to beat Hinckley United in the final played 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.
Port Vale
In October 2007, Sinnott was linked with the vacant job at League One team Port Vale, and on 1 November 2007 Farsley Celtic's chairman Andrew Firbank told fans that Sinnott would soon be leaving the club.[7] However, hours later, confusion arose when Sinnott denied resigning.[8] Five days later he was named the new Port Vale manager, ending the speculation about his future.[9] Prominent backroom staff member Dean Glover had hoped to gain the management spot himself, and so pondered resigning from the club,[10] but eventually chose to remain as Sinnott's assistant.[11] The only significant staff member Sinnott was allowed to bring in was scout Steve Joesbury.[12] In his first league game in charge Vale 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 League side Chasetown (an eighth tier team 101 league places below the Vale)[13] picked up a 1–1 draw at Vale Park,[14] before making a giant-killing with a late goal on their home ground, after Luke Rodgers missed two penalties.[15] Sinnott warned of big changes at the club.[16] He signed Chasetown duo Chris Slater and Kyle Perry,[17] 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
Bradford Park Avenue
Sinnott was linked with a vacant position at newly promoted Northern Premier League side
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.[38] Avenue recovered to finish the season in second place under Deacey, though lost to Boston United in the play-off final.
Altrincham
In May 2011, Sinnott was announced as the new manager of Altrincham, a club that had just been relegated from the Conference National into the Conference North.[39] The club finished eighth in the Conference North in 2011–12, before securing a play-off position with a fourth-place finish in 2012–13. They were beaten 4–2 by Brackley Town in the play-off semi-finals. The "Robins" again qualified for the play-offs in the 2013–14 campaign, and went on to secure promotion with a 2–1 extra time victory over Guiseley in the play-off final.[40] Altrincham finished 17th in the 2014–15 season, comfortably away from the relegation zone.[41] He left Altrincham on 9 March 2016, following a run of seven league games without a victory that left the club 21st in the table, one point adrift of safety.[42] His assistant, Neil Tolson, was appointed as his successor but could not save the club from relegation.[43]
Gainsborough Trinity
On 13 February 2018, Sinnott was appointed as manager of Gainsborough Trinity, who were then just inside the National League North relegation zone.[44] The "Holy Blues" ended the 2017–18 season in 20th position and were relegated to the Northern Premier League Premier Division. He remained at The Northolme for the start of the 2018–19 campaign, but was sacked exactly one year into his appointment, following a 5–0 defeat by league leaders Farsley Celtic which left Trinity four points outside the play-offs.[45]
Personal life
His son, Jordan, was also a professional footballer.[46] Sinnott signed his son for Altrincham in February 2015, following a previous loan spell.[47] Jordan died at the age of 25 after being attacked during a night out on 25 January 2020.[48]
Career statistics
Playing statistics
Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | Other[A] | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
Walsall | 1981–82 | Third Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
1982–83 | Third Division | 32 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 2 | |
1983–84 | Third Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Total | 40 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 47 | 2 | ||
Watford | 1983–84 | First Division | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
1984–85 | First Division | 30 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
1985–86 | First Division | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
1986–87 | First Division | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
Total | 78 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 95 | 2 | ||
Bradford City | 1987–88 | Second Division | 42 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 56 | 1 |
1988–89 | Second Division | 42 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 52 | 2 | |
1989–90 | Second Division | 45 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 2 | |
1990–91 | Third Division | 44 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 55 | 2 | |
Total | 173 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 213 | 7 | ||
Crystal Palace | 1991–92 | First Division | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
1992–93 | Premier League | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
1993–94 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 68 | 0 | ||
Bradford City | 1993–94 | Second Division | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
1994–95 | Second Division | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
Total | 34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 1 | ||
Huddersfield Town | 1994–95 | Second Division | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
1995–96 | First Division | 32 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
1996–97 | First Division | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
Total | 87 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 100 | 1 | ||
Oldham Athletic | 1997–98 | Second Division | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
1998–99 | Second Division | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
Total | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
Bradford City (loan) | 1997–98 | First Division | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Scarborough | 1999–2000 | Conference | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
Career total | 527 | 12 | 32 | 0 | 70 | 1 | 653 | 13 |
- A. Full Members Cup.
Managerial statistics
- As of 13 February 2019[51]
Team | From | To | Record | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
Farsley Celtic
|
20 June 2003 | 5 November 2007 | 187 | 91 | 48 | 48 | 48.66 |
Port Vale | 5 November 2007 | 22 September 2008 | 44 | 9 | 11 | 24 | 20.45 |
Bradford Park Avenue
|
17 January 2009 | 15 October 2009 | 33 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 45.45 |
Altrincham | 25 May 2011 | 9 March 2016 | 232 | 102 | 49 | 81 | 43.97 |
Gainsborough Trinity | 13 February 2018 | 13 February 2019 | 46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 41.30 |
Total | 542 | 236 | 126 | 180 | 43.54 |
Honours
as a Player
Individual
Huddersfield Town
- Football League Second Division play-offs: 1995
Watford
as a Manager
Farsley Celtic
- Northern Premier League First Division third-place promotion: 2003–04
- Northern Premier League play–offs: 2005–06
- West Riding County Cup: 2006
- Conference North play–offs: 2007
Altrincham
- Conference North play-offs: 2014[40]
References
- ^ "Lee Sinnott". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "Lee Sinnott". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ISBN 0362020175.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lee Sinnott | Enjoy the Game Interview". Watford Legends. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ "Sinnott is new Farsley manager". Telegraph & Argus. 20 June 2003. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
- ^ "Sinnott Determined to Bounce Back Next Season". nonleaguedaily.com. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ Marshall, Bill (1 November 2007). "Sinnott quits Celts for Vale". Telegraph & Argus. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
- ^ "Farsley in chaos over boss future". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
- ^ "Sinnott named new Port Vale boss". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
- ^ "Glover ponders his future at Vale". BBC Sport. 4 November 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Glover to sign new deal with Vale". BBC Sport. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Joesbury exits scouting role". The Sentinel. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ "The defeat of Port Vale". BBC Sport. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Port Vale 1–1 Chasetown". BBC Sport. 2 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Chasetown 1–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Sinnott eyes changes at Vale Park". BBC Sport. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "Port Vale snap up Chasetown duo". BBC Sport. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2008.
- ^ "Port Vale sign ex-Bulls defender". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "Vale sign Boro youngster Thompson". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ "McCombe reveals link with Sinnott". BBC Sport. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "Thompson happy with Sinnott style". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ "I'm here for promotion – Stockley". BBC Sport. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ a b "First summer signings for Sinnott". BBC Sport. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ "Port Vale complete Dodds signing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
- ^ "Collins makes Valiants loan move". BBC Sport. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ "Collins and Brammer sign for Vale". BBC Sport. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ "Stockley named new Vale captain". BBC Sport. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "Sinnott's headache over set-piece struggle". The Sentinel. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Sinnott parts company with Vale". BBC Sport. 22 September 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
- ^ Shaw, Steve (17 December 2008). "Port Vale: Valiants still to settle Sinnott's pay-off". The Sentinel. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
- ^ "Vale reach agreement with Sinnott". BBC Sport. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ Whiting, Ian (4 December 2008). "Pursuit of Sinnott hits a snag". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
- ^ Whiting, Ian (10 December 2008). "Deacey is new Avenue boss". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
- ^ "Sinnott named Park Avenue manager". BBC Sport. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ Whiting, Ian (18 January 2009). "Avenue thrilled to recruit Sinnott". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- ^ Whiting, Ian (25 January 2009). "Sinnott left cursing luck after baptism of fire". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
- ^ "Sinnott isn't expecting a free ride". Yorkshire Evening Post. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Avenue part company with Sinnott". BBC Sport. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ "Lee Sinnott appointed Altrincham manager". BBC Sport. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Altrincham strike late in extra time to beat Guiseley in play-off final". BBC Sport. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ Collins, Ben (29 June 2015). "Lee Sinnott sets sights on more Altrincham progress". Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ "Altrincham part company with manager Lee Sinnott". BBC Sport. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ Ostick, Chris (1 May 2016). "Altrincham name former Stockport County boss Neil Young as new manager". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ "Lee Sinnott Signs as Trinity Manager | Latest Gainsborough Trinity News". gainsboroughtrinity.com. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ^ "Drop in form and home attendances led Gainsborough Trinity to part company with management team Lee Sinnott and John Reed". Gainsborough Standard. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
- ^ "Fringe players set for chance to impress". The Sentinel. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ^ "Altrincham: Lee Sinnott signs son Jordan for Conference club". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "Murder inquiry after attacked footballer dies". BBC News. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
- ^ Lee Sinnott at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
- ^ Lee Sinnott at Soccerbase
- ^ Lee Sinnott management career statistics at Soccerbase