Marcus Bignot

Marcus Bignot

Bignot playing for Queens Park Rangers in 2005
Personal information
Full name Marcus Bignot
Date of birth (1974-08-22) 22 August 1974
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position Right back
Club information
Current team
 Grimsby Town (manager)
Youth career
Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1996 Telford United 149 (14)
1996–1997 Kidderminster Harriers 43 (1)
1997–2000 Crewe Alexandra 95 (0)
2000–2001 Bristol Rovers 26 (1)
2001–2002 Queens Park Rangers 44 (1)
2002–2004 Rushden & Diamonds 68 (2)
2004–2007 Queens Park Rangers 128 (0)
2007–2008 → Millwall (loan) 8 (0)
2008–2009 Millwall 15 (0)
2009–2010 Oldham Athletic 0 (0)
2010 Kidderminster Harriers 5 (0)
2010–2011 Brackley Town 2 (0)
2012–2016 Solihull Moors 2 (0)
Total 585 (19)
National team‡
1997 England C 1 (0)
Teams managed
1998–2005 Birmingham City Ladies
2011–2016 Solihull Moors
2016– Grimsby Town

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 08:06, 13 August 2009 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 08:06, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Marcus Bignot (born 22 August 1974) is an English former professional footballer who is manager of Grimsby Town.

Bignots playing career spanned nearly 20 years, primarily as a Right back, but he has also been used in a midfield role. He began his career at Telford United in 1992 where he spent 4 years in the Football Conference there. He then joined Kidderminster Harriers, he was part of the team that won the Conference League Cup, also in the 1996–97 season the "Harriers" came runners-up in the Football Conference. First Division side Crewe Alexandra paid 100K for him in the summer of 1997, he went on to be the player of the year in the 1997–98 season. Contractual disputes ended with a switch to Second Division side Bristol Rovers taking him on a free transfer for the 2000–2001 season. Management change made way for a move to First Division side Queens Park Rangers in March 2001 under his previous manager. A successful 2 year spell at Rushden & Diamonds where he helped them gain promotion to the Second Division in the 2002–03 season as Champions. A move back to QPR in March 2004 where he helped them gain promotion to the Championship. Further spells at Millwall, Oldham Athletic before ending his playing career in 2012 at Solihull Moors.

A former England semi-pro international, he was capped in 1997 for the England C national football team.

Bignot enjoyed a successful 7 year management career, when he took over at Birmingham City Ladies from 1998, winning the Midland Combination League, AXA Northern Premier League and Runners-up of the FA Women's Premier League Cup. Bignot having managed Solihull Moors for 5 years, he got them promoted as champions of the National League North and the Birmingham Senior Cup champions in 2016, for the first time in their entire history.

Playing career

Bignot served his apprenticeship with Birmingham City. Having being released in 1992 by the club, he joined Telford United in the Football Conference league.[1] After three seasons, a switch to fellow Football Conference side Kidderminster Harriers for a small fee was made in 1996.[2] While with Kidderminster, the team finished the 1996–97 season as Runners-up in second place narrowly missing out on promotion by five points.[3] The team that year won the Conference League Cup, beating Macclesfield Town in the final.[4] Bignot made 56 appearances for the club in total.

He was capped once for the England C squad in May 1997 against the Scottish Highland Football League at Cove Rangers Allan Park ground, in Aberdeen.

Crewe Alexandra

His performances didn't go unnoticed, Bignot moved on to newly promoted First Division side Crewe Alexandra in August 1997 for £100,000 - a record fee for Kidderminster Harriers at the time.[5][6] At Gresty Road he was the supporters' player of the season 1997–98. After falling into dispute in June 2000 with the club over his contract, Bignot was free to leave under the Bosman ruling.[7]

Bristol Rovers

Bignot signed a two-year deal at Bristol Rovers in the Second Division on a free transfer in August 2000.[6][8][9] At Bristol Rovers he played a key part in his team beating Premier League side Everton in the League Cup.[10] It was Bignot's equaliser in the second leg that took the match to penalties, which Rovers subsequently won.[11] He had scored his first goal for the club in the previous round against Plymouth Argyle.[12] Bignot also scored a memorable goal in the league against rivals Bristol City after just 28 seconds, but he could not prevent his team losing 3–2.[13]

Queens Park Rangers

A change of management prompted a move to First Division side Queens Park Rangers in March 2001 to rejoin his old manager, Ian Holloway. Bignot scored his first goal for QPR in the 2–1 away defeat to Burnley, Peter Crouch chipping the ball into the box sub Andy Thomson to head down into the path of Bignot who shot home from close range after skillfully controlling the ball.[14][15] Bignot turned down a new contract at QPR at the end of the 2001–02 season, Holloway stating this was due to QPR working on a reduced wage structure and only offering him 50 per cent of what he earned that year.[16]

Rushden & Diamonds

Bignot signed for Rushden & Diamonds in the Third Division on a short-term deal at the start of 2002–03 season, however, having played on the opening day of the season at Swansea City, three days later he sustained a medial knee ligaments only 11 minutes into his home debut against Torquay United.[17] He returned to training in the second week in September and extended his stay at Nene Park for another month.[18] He extended his stay by agreeing a new month's contract in November having taken over the right-back slot for the past couple of games.[19] He turned down a move to an un-named Second Division side and signed an 18-month contract with Rushden & Diamonds.[20] Bignot played a key role to keep Diamonds in the third division’s automatic promotion places, completing the last 16 games since October and earned the official Diamonds player of the month award for his impressive form in December 2002.[21] In April 2003, his side beat Carlisle 1–2 at Brunton Park, having set up one of the goals to seal promotion.[22] A month later his team were crowned champions of the Third Division in the 2002–03 season.[23]

Return to Queens Park Rangers

Due to a consequence of the financial meltdown at Rushden & Diamonds, Bignot was sold back to QPR in March 2004.[24] QPR finished the 2003–04 season in second place, Bignot being part of the team that clinched promotion to the Championship.[25] He captained a cash-strapped QPR to Championship survival in his final season.[2] Bignot was released in January 2008 after his contract had expired.[26]

Millwall

Having joined Millwall on loan in November 2007.[27] Bignot was allowed to stay at Millwall for a further two months following an injury crisis at the club.[28] On 15 January 2008, Bignot was released by QPR, however, he rejoined Millwall on a permanent basis just a few hours later an 18-month contract.[29] He was drafted in by Millwall to help them avoid the drop into League Two.[30] Having successfully helped the club avoid relegation, his playing time was limited at the start of the 2008–09 season due to a knee injury.[31] He was part of the squad that eventually lost 3–2 in the 2009 Football League One play-off Final against Scunthorpe.[32]

On 1 February 2010, he had his contract cancelled by mutual consent, and rejoined Conference side Kidderminster Harriers on a non contract basis until the end of the season on 17 February 2010.[33] He was released in May 2010, Bignot had a trial at National League North side Gainsborough Trinity in July 2010.[34] Later that month, he joined Southern League Premier side Brackley Town on 30 July 2010. His time at Brackley was limited to just five games, having mainly been on the subs bench.[35][36]

International career

Whilst at Kidderminster Harriers, Bignot played once for the England semi-pro (now England C) Team in May 1997, against the Scottish Highland Football League at Cove Rangers, the Highland Football League Team whose Allan Park ground is six miles south of Aberdeen, his side won 5–0 that Saturday afternoon, with Strikers Barry Hayles, Lee Hughes, and Goalkeeper Billy Stewart in the England team, all three players who subsequently went on to play at high levels in the English Football League.

Managerial and coaching career

Birmingham City Ladies

Bignot at the age of 24 became manager of Birmingham City Ladies in 1998, and immediately revamped the entire youth structure at the club.[37] He continued his own playing career in the Football League while managing the side in the newly created Midland Combination League and in their first season won the league, gaining automatic promotion into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in 2002. Also in 2001–02 Bignots team upset Doncaster Belles 4–3 in the FA Women's Premier League Cup semi-final.[38] Having reached the final at Adams Park, Wycombe, Birmingham were thrashed 7–1 by full-time professional Fulham Ladies.[39] After two seasons, Bignot clinched promotion to the top flight of women's football, joining the FA Women's Premier League National Division.[40] He left his post with Birmingham in the 2005 close season after the club ran into financial difficulties.[41]

For the 2011 FA WSL season Bignot returned to Birmingham Ladies as a Football Consultant.[42]

Solihull Moors

Bignot initially joined Conference North side Solihull Moors as assistant manager towards the end of the 2010–11 season, however, on 27 June 2011 for the 2011–12 season Bignot was appointed as manager following the resignation of Micky Moore.[43]

Bignots team won an impressive 60% of their games during the 2015–16 campaign.[2] This clinched the National League North title and secured promotion in that season with three games still left to play, it was the very first time Solihull Moors had reached National League level in their history.[44] In May 2016, Bignot reached the final and won the Birmingham Senior Cup with Solihull Moors also for the first time in their history, they beat Birmingham City 1–2 at St Andrew's stadium.[45]

Bignot made his National League managerial debut with the club on 6 August 2016, Solihull Moors beating last seasons National League South champions Sutton United 3–1 at their Gander Green Lane stadium in the opening game of the 2016–17 season.[46] Solihull Moors season started reasonably well with his team winning three of their first five games.[47][48] On 5 November 2015, in the FA Cup First Round, Bignots side came up against League Two opposition in the form of Yeovil Town away, they beat the odds and drew 2–2 having being two goals down to ear a replay.[49]

During his time at Solihull Moors, the setup consisted of just a first team and an under-18 team; within 5 years, his additonal role as director of football enhanced the structure of the club, creating 30-odd youth and junior teams, reserves, an academy and a disability section, as well as three girls teams and a ladies team, forming a community interest club within the surrounding areas of Solihull.[2]

Grimsby Town

Bignot's managerial and coaching progression and ability as director of football hadn't gone unnoticed, a statement was issued by Solihull Moors on 2 November 2016, the board of League Two club Grimsby Town had made an official legal approach to them and had granted permission for Bignot to speak to Grimsby about their vacant managerial position.[50][51] On 7 November 2016, Marcus Bignot was officially announced as the new Grimsby Town manager, along with the appointment of Micky Moore as his assistant.[52][53]

Bignot made his full Grimsby Town managerial debut on 9 November 2016, in the EFL Trophy, losing 4–2 at home to Sheffield United. [54] Bignot made his league managerial debut with Grimsby Town on 12 November 2016 at home against Barnet, drawing 2–2.[55] Bignot's first league win came the next week, when Grimsby played first-place Plymouth Argyle, winning 0-3;[56] the performance lead to Bignot winning the Sky Bet EFL team manager of the week.[57]

Personal life

Marcus has been a fan of Birmingham City football club since boyhood, having being brought up supporting them.[2] Bignot's younger brother Paul Bignot is also a professional footballer.[58]

In June 2013 Bignot married Arsenal Ladies and Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne.[59]

Honours

Player

Kidderminster Harriers

Rushden & Diamonds

Queens Park Rangers

Millwall

Manager

Birmingham City Ladies

Solihull Moors

Individual

Managerial statistics

As of match played 26 November 2016
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
PWDLWin %
Solihull Moors 28 June 2011 7 November 2016 249 100 60 89 40.2 [62]
Grimsby Town 7 November 2016 Present 5 1 2 2 20.0 [62]
Total 254 101 62 91 39.8 —

References

  1. ↑ "AFC Telford United 1992-1993". The Non-League Club Directory. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Marcus Bignot's journey: From rejection at Birmingham to Solihull, via Crewe". BBC Sport. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Kidderminster Harriers 1996–1997: Table: Final Table". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 "The National League - History". The National League. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Dario's New Faces". Warrington Guardian. London: Newsquest. 5 September 1997. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  6. 1 2 Evans, Nic (10 August 2010). "Bignot hoping to get on track". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Bignot Set To Leave After Rejecting Contract". Warrington Guardian. London: Newsquest. 23 June 2000. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  8. ↑ Ley, John (10 August 2000). "Nationwide Division Two Club by club". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  9. ↑ Ley, John (5 September 2000). "August transfers". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  10. ↑ "Bristol Rovers 1–1 Everton (Agg 2–2), 4–2 on penalties". BBC Sport. 27 September 2000. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  11. ↑ Thomson, Steve (28 September 2000). "Worthington Cup: Everton another Rovers casualty". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Plymouth 1–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 23 August 2000. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  13. ↑ "Bristol City 3–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 22 December 2000. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  14. ↑ "Burnley 2–1 QPR". BBC Sport. 24 March 2001. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  15. ↑ Madden, Lawrie (25 March 2001). "Unfortunate Rangers waste away". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  16. ↑ Ronay, Barney (March 2003). "Ian Holloway interview". WSC. London: When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "Little time for Marcus". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. London: Johnston Press. 22 August 2002. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Bignot joy for Diamonds". BBC Sport. 9 September 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "Bignot extends stay". BBC Sport. 12 November 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Bignot stays at Rushden". BBC Sport. 26 November 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  21. 1 2 "Bignot's keen to make impression". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. London: Johnston Press. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  22. ↑ "Carlisle 1–2 Rushden & Diamonds". BBC Sport. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Rushden and Diamonds 2002–2003: Table: Final Table". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016.
  24. ↑ "Bignot makes Rangers return". BBC Sport. 25 March 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  25. 1 2 "Sheffield Wednesday 1–3 QPR". BBC Sport. 8 May 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  26. ↑ "QPR defender Bignot leaves club". BBC Sport. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Millwall sign QPR defender Bignot". BBC Sport. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  28. ↑ "QPR allow Bignot to stay at Millwall for an extra two months". Daily Mail. London: DMG Media. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  29. ↑ "Bignot Seals Millwall Move". Vital Football. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Bignot issues Millwall rallying cry". BBC Sport. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "Bignot admits injury frustration". BBC Sport. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  32. 1 2 Stafford, Mikey (24 May 2009). "Martyn Woolford lifts Scunthorpe back to the Championship". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  33. ↑ "Marcus Bignot re-signs for Kidderminster Harriers". BBC Sport. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  34. ↑ "Marcus Bignot among three trialists for Gainsborough Trinity against Leeds United". The Lincolnshire Echo. London: Trinity Mirror. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  35. ↑ "Brackley 1–1 Chippenham". Pitchero. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  36. ↑ "Weymouth 0–0 Brackley". Weymouth F.C. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  37. 1 2 Helen Barklam (30 May 1999). "Girls strike out for goal with inspired boss; His achievements have not gone unnoticed – Marcus was crowned Birmingham County FA Coach of the Year at the end of the season. Yet he isn't paid a penny – Marcus is just passionate about the game". Sunday Mercury. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  38. 1 2 Leighton, Tony (13 January 2002). "Birmingham shock Doncaster". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  39. ↑ Hall, Max (8 April 2002). "Blues no match for full-time Fulham". The Birmingham Post. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  40. ↑ "Bignot beefs up Birmingham". The Fair Game. 15 January 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  41. ↑ "Chelsea hammer Birmingham Ladies". BBC Sport. 25 September 2005. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  42. ↑ "Bignot fined for improper conduct". The Football Association. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  43. ↑ "Bignot Handed Moors Post". Pitchero. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  44. 1 2 "Marcus Bignot's side win promotion to the National League". BBC Sport. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  45. 1 2 Dick, Brian (5 May 2016). "Birmingham Senior Cup final: Birmingham City 1–2 Solihull Moors". Birmingham Mail. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  46. ↑ "Sutton 1–3 Solihull". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  47. ↑ "Solihull 1–0 Bromley". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  48. ↑ "Solihull 3–2 Guiseley". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  49. ↑ "Yeovil 2–2 Solihull". BBC Sport. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  50. ↑ "CLUB STATEMENT: Solihull Moors issue update on manager Marcus Bignot". Solihull Moors F.C. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  51. ↑ "Grimsby Town granted permission to speak to Solihull Moors boss". BBC Sport. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  52. ↑ Valente, Allan (7 November 2016). "Grimsby appoint Marcus Bignot as new manager". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  53. ↑ "Marcus Bignot: Grimsby Town appoint Solihull Moors boss as manager". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  54. ↑ "Grimsby Town 2–4 Sheffield United". Grimsby Town F.C. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  55. ↑ "Grimsby Town 2–2 Barnet". BBC Sport. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  56. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 0–3 Grimsby Town". Sky Sports. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  57. 1 2 Butcher, Alex (21 November 2016). "Sky Bet EFL: Team Manager of the Week". EFL. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  58. ↑ "Blackpool sign Paul Bignot on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  59. ↑ "Arsenal's Emma nets herself a husband". Irish Independent. Ireland. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  60. ↑ "Solihull Moors boss Marcus Bignot scoops monthly award". Solihull News. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  61. ↑ "Bignot & Sammons Pick Up North Awards". The National League. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  62. 1 2 "Managers: Marcus Bignot". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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