Gavin Skelton

Gavin Skelton
Personal information
Full name Gavin Richard Skelton
Date of birth (1981-03-27) 27 March 1981
Place of birth Carlisle, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Club information
Current team
 Queen of the South (caretaker manager)
Number 29
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1997–2000 Carlisle United 8 (0)
2000–2001 Workington 42 (1)
2001–2008 Gretna 200 (29)
2008–2010 Kilmarnock 47 (1)
2010–2011 Hamilton Academical 16 (0)
2011–2013 Barrow 82 (1)
2013–2015 Workington 36 (0)
2015– Queen of the South 0 (0)
Teams managed
2014–2015 Workington
2016– Queen of the South (caretaker manager)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:04, 11 October 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (goals)

Gavin Richard Skelton (born 27 March 1981 in Carlisle) is an English footballer who is currently the caretaker manager of Scottish Championship side Queen of the South.

Playing career

Skelton started his career at Carlisle United as a trainee. In 1997, after three years at Brunton Park he moved to non-league Workington Reds and one year later joined then Northern Premier League outfit Gretna. Gretna joined the Scottish Football League in 2002, eventually gaining promotion to the Scottish Premier League during the 2006-07 season. In the 2006 Scottish Cup final versus Hearts, Skelton missed the crucial kick in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.[1] His miss denied Gretna their first major trophy, however they still qualified for the UEFA Cup as a result of their run to the final.

Due to Gretna's financial difficulties, in April 2008 it was reported that Skelton was in talks with Kilmarnock and Aberdeen[2] On 19 May 2008 Skelton was one of the remaining 40 staff members who were released by Gretna.[3] Two days earlier, Skelton had scored the winning goal on his side's final SPL fixture against Hearts.[4] In June 2008 Skelton signed for SPL side Kilmarnock but left the club under freedom of contract in June 2010.[5]

After his release from Killie, Skelton signed for Hamilton Academical.[6] He was released by Hamilton following their relegation from the SPL in May 2011 and signed for Barrow on 6 July 2011.[7]

Coaching career

In order to gain coaching and managerial experience, Skelton coached the Stirling University team part-time, whilst playing for Kilmarnock.

Skelton was appointed as Workington manager in May 2014, replacing Ian MacDonald.[8] He had joined the Reds as a player/coach in 2013.[9] Skelton led the Borough Park side to the Northern Premier League Play-offs in his only full season in charge,[10] finally falling to Ilkeston in front of 1,500 supporters at Borough Park.

Skelton left Workington in June 2015 to take up a coaching role with the Dumfries club Queen of the South.[10][11] Skelton was appointed caretaker manager of Queens on 18 April 2016 after James Fowler departed the club.[12]

Personal life

His sister, Helen, is a television presenter who formerly worked on the popular children's television show Blue Peter.

References

  1. ↑ "Hearts 1-1 Gretna (4-2 on pens)". BBC Sport. 13 May 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "Kilmarnock Could offer SPL Lifeline to Gretna's Gavin Skelton". Daily Record. 15 April 2008.
  3. ↑ "Gretna lay off remaining 40 staff". BBC Sport. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  4. ↑ "Gretna 1-0 Hearts". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  5. ↑ "Skelton signs on for Kilmarnock". BBC News (BBC Sport). 11 June 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  6. ↑ "Hamilton Accies sign up Skelton". BBC Sport. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "Major Signing Announced". Barrow A.F.C. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  8. ↑ "Skelton appointed Workington Reds manager". News and Star. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Gavin Skelton signs for Workington Reds as player coach". News and Star. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Queen of the South: Gavin Skelton signs on as player-assistant". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Skelton named assistant at Palmerston". www.spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "Manager Departs". Queen of the South FC. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.

External links

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