| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin Wilkin[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1967-10-01)1 October 1967 (age 57)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Cambridge, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | AFC Telford United (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Cambridge City | |||
| 1990–1995 | Northampton Town[2] | 78 | (11) |
| 1995–1997 | Rushden & Diamonds | ||
| 1997–1998 | Nuneaton Borough | ||
| 1998–2002 | Cambridge City | ||
| 2002–2004 | Grantham Town | ||
| 2004–2008 | Nuneaton Borough | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2006–2014 | Nuneaton Borough | ||
| 2014–2015 | Wrexham | ||
| 2015–2022 | Brackley Town | ||
| 2022– | AFC Telford United | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Kevin Wilkin (born 1 October 1967) is an Englishmanager and former professionalfootballer. He is the manager ofAFC Telford United.
Born inCambridge but raised in the Cambridgeshire village of Milton, Wilkin started his career with hometown sideCambridge City, before moving into theFootball League and turning professional withNorthampton Town. Later spells followed withRushden and Diamonds,Nuneaton Borough, Cambridge City andGrantham Town, before returning to Nuneaton as player/assistant manager to Roger Ashby in 2004.
Following the sacking of Ashby in 2006, he was appointed caretaker manager and was subsequently given the job on a permanent basis. After Nuneaton Borough were liquidated at the end of the 2007–08 season he was appointed manager of the reformed club,. He guided the team to a second-place finish in theSouthern League Division One Midlands and promotion at the first attempt, beatingChasetown in the play-off final. The next season, he guided the team to a second successive promotion, beatingChippenham Town in the play-off final after finishing second in the Southern League Premier Division. In 2012, Nuneaton Borough finished the season in fifth place in theConference North and won the play-off final, after beatingGainsborough Trinity 1–0, guiding them back to the Conference Premier after a nine-year absence.[citation needed]
Wilkin was appointed manager of Nuneaton's Conference Premier rivalsWrexham on a two-year contract on 20 March 2014. Wilkin's first game in charge was against Salisbury City, where his new side drew 1–1. He made changes to the squad early, by re-signing former youngster Bradley Reid on loan, whilst releasingBrett Ormerod. He saw out the season finishing in a club record low place of 17th.[citation needed]
Over the summer of 2014 he completely re-shaped the club, releasing Robert Ogleby, Kyle Parle, David Artell, Jay Colback and Joe Anyinsah, Kevin Thornton and Stephen Wright and Leon Clowes. Although Wilkin made attempts to negotiate renewing contracts, Johnny Hunt and Joslain Mayebi left the club. His recruitment was successful over the summer, with Blaine Hudson the first arrival fromCambridge United. More followed as Wes York andLouis Moult followed from former club Nuneaton. Others includedManny Smith,Connor Jennings and Dan Bachmann on loan fromStoke City. The season began with a win over Dartford, with Wes York bagging a brace. But the first home game of the season saw Wrexham lose 3–0 to Gateshead.[3]
League form dipped over the season, but an FA Cup run saw Wrexham reach the 3rd round, where they faced Stoke City.Mark Carrington gave Wrexham the lead against the Premier League side, but they went on to lose 3–1. Wilkin used the loan system, bringing in the likes of Scott Tancock (Swansea City), Joe Thompson (Bury), Jon Flatt (Wolves),Dan Holman (Colchester United), Sam Finley (TNS), Johnny Hunt (Cambridge United), James Pearson (Leicester City) and Kieron Morris (Walsall). Wilkin's successes in the cups continued in theFA Trophy, as he reached the Semi-Final against Torquay United. Wrexham beat them in both the home and away tie to progress toWembley Stadium.[4]
Although doing well in the Trophy, Wrexham's form dipped, winning just twice in the seven games between the semi and the final. At Wembley Wrexham facedNorth Ferriby United, a part-time side from the Conference North. Wrexham lead 2–0 through Louis Moult and Jay Harris. But United came back to level at 2–2, before extra-time and penalties saw the FA Trophy go North Ferriby's way. This would be Wilkin's last game, as he was sacked by the board less than 24 hours later.[5]
On 21 September 2015, Wilkin was appointed manager ofNational League North clubBrackley Town.[6] On 20 May 2018, Brackley defeated National League clubBromley in the2018 FA Trophy Final to lift the trophy for the first time in the club's history.[7]
On 29 September 2022, Wilkin was sacked as manager with the club sitting in eighth position in the league.[8]
On 10 October 2022, Wilkin was appointed manager atAFC Telford United.[9]
Wrexham
Brackley Town
