Tommy Widdrington

Thomas Widdrington (born 1 October 1971) is an English former footballer and football manager, who is Director of Football at Bristol Rovers.

Tommy Widdrington
Personal information
Full name Thomas Widdrington[1]
Date of birth (1971-10-01) 1 October 1971
Place of birth Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Wallsend Boys Club
1987–1990 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1996 Southampton 75 (3)
1991 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 6 (0)
1996–1999 Grimsby Town 89 (8)
1999–2001 Port Vale 82 (8)
2001–2003 Hartlepool United 56 (5)
2003–2005 Macclesfield Town 58 (0)
2005 Port Vale 6 (0)
2005–2010 Salisbury City 46 (2)
Total 418 (26)
Teams managed
2009–2010 Salisbury City
2011–2012 Hemel Hempstead Town
2012–2017 Eastbourne Borough
2020 Bristol Rovers (caretaker)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

As a midfielder, he made 372 appearances in the English Football League in a 15-year career, before spending five years in non-league football. His career began at Southampton in 1990, where he spent the first six years of his career. In 1996, he moved to Grimsby Town, helping the "Mariners" to the League Trophy and promotion out of the Second Division in 1998. The next year he moved on to Port Vale for a two-year spell. Voted the club's Player of the Year in 2000, he captained the "Valiants" to the League Trophy in 2001. Later in the year he was transferred to Hartlepool United, helping the club to win promotion out of League Two in 2002–03, before he moved on to Macclesfield Town. In 2005 his career in the Football League ended back at Port Vale. He then spent 2005 to 2010 at non-league Salisbury City. As a player, he enjoyed promotion four times with three clubs, and lifted the Football League Trophy twice.

Player-manager at Salisbury City for the 2009–10 season, he returned to the Football League at Southend United, as assistant manager but left the position in December 2010. He was appointed Hemel Hempstead Town manager in October 2011, before he was put it charge at Eastbourne Borough in February 2012. He left Eastbourne Borough in April 2017 and went on to work as head of recruitment at Coventry City and Bristol Rovers, before becoming caretaker-manager of the latter in November 2020.

Playing career

Southampton

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Widdrington started his career as a Southampton trainee, having been scouted by the man who brought Alan Shearer to the club, Jack Hixon.[3] He signed a professional contract with the First Division club in May 1990. He enjoyed a short loan spell at Third Division Wigan Athletic at the start of the 1991–92 season. He made his "Saints" debut at Everton on 1 March 1992.

A tough, no-nonsense midfield player, he survived some frantic managerial changes to carve out a respectable Premier League career over a four-year period for Southampton. He was combative and energetic, comfortable in most areas of the pitch. However he didn't become a regular player until the 1994–95 season, when he made 28 league appearances without scoring as the "Saints" finished tenth in the league. He made a further 21 appearances in the 1995–96 season, scoring twice, as the "Saints" narrowly avoided relegation, but still reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup.[4]

He was not far short of making 100 appearances in total when, in July 1996, Grimsby Town came in with a club record offer of £300,000 – as "Saints" had yet another new manager in Graeme Souness.[5] Widdrington decided to accept their terms and headed to Blundell Park.

Grimsby Town

Grimbsy were a struggling First Division side, and suffered relegation at the end of the 1996–97 campaign, though Widdrington did score a memorable goal past Southend United on the last day of the season. They enjoyed an immediate return in 1997–98 after winning the play-off Final against Northampton Town 1–0. However injury meant that he missed out on the League Trophy Final victory over Bournemouth at Wembley. Widdrington played his last game for the "Mariners" towards the end of the 1998–99 season, when he was loaned out to Port Vale for the final three months of the season.

Port Vale

At the end of the 1998–99 season Port Vale signed Widdrington (now out of contract, and transfer–listed) on a free transfer. He was sent off on the final day of the 1998–99 season, and he returned to action in 1999–2000 by getting sent off in the opening minute of a 4–2 defeat at Birmingham City. Supporters voted him Player of the Year for the 1999–2000 season, as the "Valiants" suffered relegation into the Second Division.

Manager Brian Horton appointed Widdrington as club-captain for the 2000–01 season. He played every game of the club's League Trophy run,[6] but played no part in the final. He made just over 80 appearances at Vale Park, before being released at the end of the 2000–01 season.

Later career

Linked with Colchester United,[7] Widdrington instead moved north to join up with Hartlepool United.[8] He was a regular for the club and earned promotion to the Second Division with the club in the 2002–03 season, before he was released upon its conclusion.[9]

In July 2003 he was targeted by Oxford United,[10] but instead Widdrington made his next port of call at Macclesfield Town, managed by former boss Brian Horton.[11] He settled in quickly and became an indispensable player for the Third Division strugglers, acting as their captain for the 2004–05 season.[12] In January 2005, Horton put him on the transfer list,[13] and Widdrington then decided to call it a day at Macclesfield and in a twist, joined former club Port Vale on a non-contract basis.[14]

Style of play

Widdrington was a midfielder, but could also fill in at full-back.[5]

Coaching career

Salisbury City

He joined Salisbury City in February 2005. His capture from Port Vale was an integral part of the club's development under manager Nick Holmes, helping the club to the highest point in its history. Over time his role became that of a coach, rather than a player.

On 8 September 2007 Widdrington was involved in a touchline incident with Rushden & Diamonds boss Garry Hill.[15] The pair began arguing and Hill headbutted Widdrington, breaking his nose.[16] Both men received fines from their clubs and Hill was also given a ten match touchline ban and a fine of £1,500.[17][18] Later that year Widdrington was suspended by the club pending an 'internal disciplinary inquiry', but was soon allowed to return to work, with a statement being released saying: "No charges have been brought against Tommy and everyone at the club looks forward to working with him towards continued success."[19] The following year Rushden banned him from Nene Park in the return fixture, despite no authorisation from The Football Association for the action.[20]

He took over as manager in July 2009 after Nick Holmes took the role of general manager.[21] He won the Conference National Manager of the Month award in April 2010.[22] However he left the club after they were expelled from the Conference National due to them entering administration.

Southend United & Hemel Hempstead Town

In July 2010, Widdrington was named assistant to new Southend United manager Paul Sturrock.[23] His employment was terminated on 15 December 2010 as Sturrock needed "a fresh impetus".[24] The club promoted from within in appointing Graham Coughlan as his replacement.

In October 2011, Widdrington was appointed as manager of struggling Southern League side Hemel Hempstead Town.[25] His stay was short, as he found employment at a club in a higher league mid-way throughout the season.

Eastbourne Borough

In February 2012, Widdrington was appointed as manager of Eastbourne Borough, taking over from long-serving manager Garry Wilson, with the remit of keeping the club in the Conference South.[26] He signed both Ronnie Bull and Stuart Anderson from Salisbury, and both Marvin Hamilton and Ellis Remy from Hemel Hampstead, also bringing in goalkeeper Mitch Walker on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.[27] They ended the 2011–12 season two places and two points above the drop zone, and went on to finish safely in 12th spot in 2012–13. After an unbeaten start to the 2013–14 season, Widdrington was named as the Conference South Manager of the Month for August.[28] The "Sports" ended the 2013–14 campaign in tenth place.

After guiding Borough to top of the table with four wins and two draws at the start of the 2014–15 season he was named as Conference South Manager of the Month for the second successive August.[29] They ended the campaign in 11th place and then finished 17th in 2015–16. They won the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup in 2016 after beating Worthing 1–0 in the final at Falmer Stadium.[30] He left the club by mutual consent on 7 April 2017, leaving Borough 11th in the National League South table, 20 points clear of relegation and 18 adrift of the play-off places.[31]

Backroom roles

Widdrington was appointed head of recruitment at Coventry City on 10 April 2017.[32] On 1 May 2018, he left Coventry City and took up a similar position at Bristol Rovers.[33][34] His son, Theo, was signed up two months later.[35] With the aim of recruiting players on a low wage to try and sell on for a profit, he also brought in: Jonson Clarke-Harris, Abu Ogogo, Anssi Jaakkola, Josh Hare, Tom Davies, Mark Little and Luke Leahy.[36] Widdrington become the club's caretaker-manager following the sacking of Ben Garner on 14 November 2020, with Rovers sitting 18th in League One.[37] He oversaw a 4–3 victory over Chelsea U21 in the EFL Trophy on 18 November, before Paul Tisdale was appointed as permanent manager the following day.[38]

Personal life

Widdrington celebrated his goal for Port Vale against Brentford on 24 October 2000 with five bottles of Budweiser, and subsequently crashed his BMW into a set of traffic lights in Hanley early the following morning.[39] He was charged with refusing to take part in police drink-driving tests and entered a Guilty plea.[40][41] He was banned from driving for 12 months and given a £500 fine.[39]

His eldest son Kai is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars.[42] His younger son, Theo, turned professional at Portsmouth in April 2017[43] and currently plays for Havant & Waterlooville.

Statistics

Playing statistics

Source:[44]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Southampton 1990–91 First Division 00000000
1991–92 First Division 30000030
1992–93 Premier League 1200010130
1993–94 Premier League 1112000131
1994–95 Premier League 2805010340
1995–96 Premier League 2124020272
Total 75311040903
Wigan Athletic (loan) 1991–92 Third Division 60002080
Grimsby Town 1996–97 First Division 4241020454
1997–98 Second Division 2132070303
1998–99 First Division 2611050321
Total 898401401078
Port Vale 1998–99 First Division 91000091
1999–2000 First Division 3851000395
2000–01 Second Division 3521050412
Total 8282050898
Hartlepool United 2001–02 Third Division 2421020272
2002–03 Third Division 3231010343
Total 5652030615
Macclesfield Town 2003–04 Third Division 3503010390
2004–05 League Two 2302040290
Total 5805050680
Port Vale 2004–05 League One 60000060
Career total 3722424033042924

Managerial statistics
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
PWDLWin %
Eastbourne Borough February 2012 7 April 2017 2639736.9 [45]
Bristol Rovers (caretaker) 14 November 2020 19 November 2020 1 1 0 0 100.0
Total 2649837.1

Honours

Player
Grimsby Town
Port Vale
Hartlepool United
Salisbury City

Manager
Eastbourne Borough

Individual

References
  1. "Tommy Widdrington". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2004/05". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. "Widdo: I'm Captain because I'm mouthy". onevalefan.co.uk. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. "Tommy Widdrington". sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  5. PV Eye: the Official Matchday Magazine of Port Vale F.C. 2 March 1999. p. 22.
  6. "Port Vale's route to Cardiff". BBC Sport. 18 April 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  7. "Colchester boss in transfer talks". BBC Sport. 3 July 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  8. "Hartlepool sign trio". BBC Sport. 15 July 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  9. "Pool part with Widdrington". BBC Sport. 15 May 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  10. "Oxford target Widdrington". BBC Sport. 19 July 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  11. "Widdrington joins Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  12. "Widdrington extends stay". BBC Sport. 21 June 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  13. "Duo transfer-listed at Moss Rose". BBC Sport. 7 January 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  14. "Widdrington joins Port Vale again". BBC Sport. 14 January 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  15. "Rushden boss Hill charged by FA". BBC Sport. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  16. "Rushden launch probe into fracas". BBC Sport. 11 September 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  17. "Rushden manager fined for attack". BBC Sport. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  18. "Rushden boss Hill suspended by FA". BBC Sport. 5 October 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  19. "Widdrington returns to Salisbury". BBC Sport. 6 December 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  20. "Whites blast ban on Widdrington". BBC Sport. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  21. "Widdrington named Salisbury boss". BBC Sport. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  22. "Salisbury Thrill Under Widdrington". Blue Sq. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  23. "Tommy Widdrington backs Salisbury City to rise". BBC Sport. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  24. "Club statement: Tommy Widdrington". Southend United FC. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  25. Hemel Hempstead Town FC Announce New Manager Mark Steiner pitchero.com (5 October 2011)
  26. "Widdrington: I want to be part of another successful era with Eastbourne Borough". Eastbourne Herald. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  27. "Relegation battle holds no fear for Widdrington". Eastbourne Herald. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  28. "Conference Monthly Awards". herefordunited.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  29. Peskett, Lee. "Widdrington Manager Of The Month For August". ebfc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  30. Berry, Ollie (20 May 2016). "Borough boss Widdrington hails special night for cup heroes". Eastbourne Herald. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  31. "Tommy Widdrington: Eastbourne Borough manager leaves after five years in charge". BBC Sport. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  32. "Coventry City role for ex-Borough boss Widdrington". Eastbourne Herald. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  33. "Head of Recruitment Tommy Widdrington leaves Coventry City". Coventry City F.C. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  34. "Bristol Rovers: Tommy Widdrington moves from Coventry City as recruitment boss". BBC Sport. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  35. Oliver Willis (2 July 2018). "The lowdown on Theo Widdrington - the young midfielder Bristol Rovers have snapped up after Portsmouth release". Bristol Post. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  36. Piercy, James (27 November 2019). "How Tommy Widdrington dragged Rovers kicking and screaming into the 21st Century". BristolLive. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  37. Frost, Sam (14 November 2020). "Ben Garner sacked by Bristol Rovers after Fleetwood Town defeat". BristolLive. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  38. "Papa John's Trophy Match Report: Bristol Rovers 4-3 Chelsea U21s". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  39. "Soccer star banned for drink-drive accident". Birmingham Post. 8 December 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  40. "Port Vale captain charged". Birmingham Post. 28 October 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  41. "Footballer in court". Coventry Telegraph. 10 November 2000. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  42. Dotta, Marino. "Dancing With the Stars - Ireland - Kai Widdrington, professional dancer". www.kaiwiddrington.com. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  43. Weld, Neil (10 April 2017). "Pompey Academy duo Jez Bedford and Theo Widdrington offered pro deals Portsmouth". Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  44. Tommy Widdrington at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  45. "Tommy Widdrington Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  46. "Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy". BBC Sport. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
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