Rob Newman (footballer)
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Robert Nigel Newman[1] | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 13 December 1963||
Place of birth | Bradford-on-Avon,[1] England | ||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team |
West Ham United (Head of Recruitment) | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1981–1991 | Bristol City | 394 | (52) |
1991–1998 | Norwich City | 205 | (14) |
1997–1998 | → Motherwell (loan) | 11 | (0) |
1998 | → Wigan Athletic (loan) | 8 | (0) |
1998–2002 | Southend United | 72 | (11) |
2003 | Chelmsford City | 1 | (0) |
Gorleston | |||
2007–2008 | AFC Bournemouth | 0 | (0) |
Total | 691 | (77) | |
Managerial career | |||
2001–2003 | Southend United | ||
2004 | Gorleston (caretaker) | ||
2005–2006 | Cambridge United | ||
2006–2008 | AFC Bournemouth (assistant) | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Robert Nigel Newman (born 13 December 1963) is an English football manager and former professional footballer, who is head of recruitment at Premier League side West Ham United.
As a player, he was a
Following retirement, Newman had spells in charge of Southend United, Gorleston and Cambridge United. He later became a first team coach at AFC Bournemouth and briefly registered as a player to add cover. He has since worked in a recruitment role, firstly for Manchester City and now with West Ham United.
Playing career
Newman signed for Bristol City as an apprentice in October 1981, later serving as club captain and eventually playing 483 games for the club, leaving him seventh on Bristol City's all-time appearances chart.[3]
After three consecutive relegations Bristol City were in financial turmoil in 1982. Eight of the club's top-earning players – known as the 'Ashton Gate Eight' – saved the club by ripping up their contracts and taking redundancy.[4] On 6 February 1982 Bristol City played Fulham at Ashton Gate in the first match following the departure of the eight senior players. The team was populated with several young reserve team players, including an 18-year-old Newman.[5]
Having been with the club at this low point, Newman was a key figure in improving the club's fortunes. Playing predominantly in central midfield and defence, he helped the club win promotion to Division 3 in 1984,[6] win the Associate Members' Cup in 1986[7] and achieve a further promotion, to Division 2, in 1990.[8]
After a decade at
During his time with Norwich, Newman was initially used in 1991–92 as a central midfielder, where he managed to score several important goals. He even deputised as a forward covering for injuries. He was ultimately primarily played in central defence in the majority of games for Norwich, particularly later on in his career. Newman was noted for his determination, versatility and a very hard (if not always accurate) shot.
During a dead ball competition at Wembley in 1994, it was found that Newman had the hardest shot in the league at the time.[9]
He stayed at Norwich until the end of the 1997–98, when new manager Bruce Rioch decided not to renew his contract. He then signed for Southend United, and later worked on the coaching staff at Roots Hall, as well as having a spell as assistant manager.[10]
Towards the end of the 2002–03 season, Newman signed as cover for Chelmsford City. In July 2003, Newman signed for Gorleston. In October 2004, Newman was appointed caretaker manager of Gorleston.[11]
Coaching career
After his playing days, Newman became a manager in the lower leagues of English football. He had a short time spell at
Newman built a squad with very little money and showed his abilities in scouting little-known players. He also gained the support of the majority of Cambridge fans, earning him the nickname of 'Buzz Lightyear', owing to his facial likeness to the character from the motion-picture Toy Story. Some fans even set up a fan site (see below), and wore Buzz Lightyear masks in homage to him.
However, he was sacked following United's 3–1 defeat by Exeter City on 1 September 2006 that left the club second-bottom of the Conference.
The following month, the new
Newman is currently head of recruitment at
Honours
Bristol City
Individual
References
- ^ a b c "Rob Newman". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
- ^ http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/all-time-appearances-406533.aspx [bare URL]
- ^ "From riches to rags". 5 February 2010.
- ^ "Matchcentres Bristol City Vs Fulham 06 Feb 1982 121742 – Burnley FC – Clarets Mad". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "Where Are They Now? Bristol City 1983-84 Division Four Promotion Winners". 11 February 2014.
- ^ "Final appearances: City looking to make history with another victory | Bristol Post". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "Sport | Football | Steve Smith column | Steve Smith looks back at Bristol Rovers and Bristol City winning promotion in 1990 | This is Bristol | Bristol Post". Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "Blue Anorak: Rob Newman".
- ^ "Flown from the Nest – Rob Newman".
- ^ "Rob Newman". Flown From The Nest. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Rob Newman: Who is West Ham's new head of recruitment from Manchester City?".
- ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 147.
- ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 148.
● Playfair football annuals 1982–83 to 2002–03
External links
- Rob Newman player profile at afcb.co.uk
- Rob Newman at Soccerbase
- Flown From The Nest: a profile of Rob Newman by 'Flown From The Nest', a website charting the lives of ex-Norwich players
- Buzz on Tour: fan site dedicated to Rob Newman