Latest news with #NeilDanns
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Colchester United favourite lands managerial role at non-league side
FORMER Colchester United favourite Neil Danns has been named as Southport's new first-team manager. The 42-year-old, who helped the U's achieve a historic promotion in 2006, has taken charge at the National League North club, succeeding Jim Bentley in the role. Danns has taken up the role after leaving his role as assistant boss at League Two side Tranmere Rovers, where he had worked for the last two years. READ MORE: Let us know your views in our U's End of Season survey Danns said: 'I can't wait and I'm really excited. I'm really thankful for the opportunity. 'My job is to make sure we have a squad ready for pre-season, when we get down to work.' Danns made 85 league and cup appearances for Colchester after joining them from Blackburn Rovers in December 2004, initially on loan. He left the U's to join Birmingham City, in the summer of 2006. Get to know our new First-Team Manager! Watch our exclusive sit-down interview with Neil Danns as he shares his ambitions for SFC. 👇 — Southport Football Club (@southport_fc) May 12, 2025 Danns will be assisted in his new role by former Southport player, Mark Duffy. Port finished the 2024/25 campaign in 18th place. Southport said in a club statement: 'We are delighted to announce our new management team of Neil Danns as manager and Mark Duffy assistant manager. 'Neil joins the club after spending two years as Assistant Manager at Tranmere Rovers. READ MORE: Ellis Iandolo makes positive statement after fine season 'Following a 20-year playing career, Neil made the transition into coaching and management, being appointed as player-manager by Macclesfield and leading them to promotion to the Northern Premier League as champions before being appointed as assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers in May 2023. 'Mark Duffy is no stranger to Haig Avenue where he made 103 appearances in total scoring 19 goals in all competitions. 'Mark was actually named as the head coach at Macclesfield following the departure of Neil Danns from Macc and after leaving The Silkmen he had a short spell as manager at Warrington Rylands. 'We extend a very warm welcome to Haig Avenue to Neil and Mark and hope they enjoy a successful time at the club.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Wanderer gets first permanent manager's role at ex Football League club
FORMER Wanderers midfielder Neil Danns has been appointed as the new manager of Southport. The Liverpudlian, who racked up more than 600 career appearances, including 116 in Bolton colours between 2013 and 2016, has accepted his first permanent role in the dugout at the National League North club. Danns had been placed in temporary charge of Macclesfield in December 2022, taking the Silkmen to an unbeaten finish in the league at the time, and more recently he has been assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers in League Two. He links up with ex-Macclesfield teammate Mark Duffy in his new role and is eager to get going with the former Football League club. 'I'm really excited, grateful for the opportunity,' he said. 'I managed to get to a lot of Southport games last year and obviously I was assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers and we had Josh Williams on loan here. 'I don't live far away, just down the road in Ormskirk. But there is no much potential here and I am looking forward bringing that potential out. 'One of the things people would have seen when I was at Macclesfield is that I expect a lot of energy, a lot of confidence, and it's up to us to bring that out of the players now. 'We know it won't be easy and doesn't necessarily happen straight away but we are confident we can get them playing the way we envision and bring some real spirit. There's a really god fanbase here and it's important we all get behind each other.' Danns had a varied playing career spanning 16 different clubs, his longest stints being at Crystal Palace, Bolton and Bury. He was signed on loan by his former Selhurst Park boss Dougie Freedman and after an impressive spell was handed a two-year contract. He continued to be a fixture in the team after Freedman's departure and briefly served as vice-captain to Darren Pratley under Neil Lennon before being released after Bolton's relegation to League One in 2016. 'I was really proud of what I achieved in my career and played up to the age of 40, and that was one of things was probably most proud of. I'd always wondered as a youngster how long I would play on for,' Danns added. 'I am looking forward to the next phase of my career now.' Danns is not the first former Wanderer to take charge of the Sandgrounders, with Kevin Davies performing an eight-month stint from October 2017. Jimmy Meadows also managed both clubs, while Farnworth-born Alan Ball Senior also spent two years as manager of Southport in the late seventies.
