Andy Morrell

Career

Newcastle Blue Star Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, he played for the Leicestershire County Cricket Club from under-15 to under-19 level. He started his football career as a youth team player at Nuneaton Borough, before deciding to make the move north to Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne to study Sports science.

Blackpool Blackpool manager Simon Grayson contacted Micky Adams about Morrell's availability, and the striker was allowed to discuss a possible move. a last-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw at home to Oldham Athletic which began a run of consistent appearances. He also scored against Oldham Athletic in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, which put his league goals in his nine months with Blackpool at 17 , which was the total he scored in three years with Coventry. He finished the 2006–07 season as Blackpool's top scorer with 20 goals in all competitions.

Bury On 7 May 2008, Morrell was offered a new contract by Blackpool, but with the form of Ben Burgess and Paul Dickov, Morrell declined the offer. In his two seasons at Gigg Lane, Morrell made 78 appearances and scored 18 goals.

Return to Wrexham and start of managerial career

After his two seasons with Bury, Morrell left the club and on 28 June 2010, and signed a two-year contract with his former club Wrexham. Morrell scored the winning goal on his debut, a 1–0 win over Cambridge United in the first game of the season. Morrell took a major part in Wrexham's first team and played in the Conference Play-off semi-finals of the 2010–11 season but lost to rivals Luton Town.

On 23 September 2011, Morrell took over as caretaker player-manager at Wrexham, following the departure of Dean Saunders to Doncaster Rovers. After leading Wrexham to seven wins in nine games, he was appointed player-manager on a permanent basis on a contract until the end of the 2011–12 season on 29 October. During his first season as Wrexham manager he led the reds to an FA Cup 3rd round match against Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion, with Wrexham taking the Albion to a replay in front of a packed Racecourse Ground. Wrexham lost the game on penalties 5–4 with Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan saving the first penalty taken by Wrexham captain Dean Keates. Also Morrell guided Wrexham to the Play-offs after narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to Fleetwood Town even after gaining 98 points in the season. Morrell's side lost in the semi-final for the second year running once again to Luton Town who went on to lose to York City in the final.

In April 2012, Morrell signed a new two-year deal with Wrexham, one year as a player then an additional year as manager, working alongside assistant and goalkeeper coach Michael Oakes and Assistant Billy Barr. In 2013 Morrell led his Wrexham team to Wembley on two occasions. The first against Grimsby Town, in the FA Trophy Final. Wrexham won the game on penalties after it finished 1–1 after extra time. The second occasion was for the Conference Play Off Final. Wrexham had beaten Kidderminster harriers 5–2 on aggregate to get to the final, but were beaten by fellow Welsh side Newport County 2–0. The following season began terribly for Morrell's Wrexham which saw them in the bottom half for most of the first half of the 2013–14 campaign, Morrell decided not to play in most games although on 23 November he came on as a sub in the first half for injured Brett Ormerod and scored a fantastic volley and earned the man of the match award against Forest Green Rovers.

On 23 February 2014, Morrell left his position as manager of Wrexham FC by mutual consent after a meeting with the board members, leaving the club after four years as a player, and two and a half years as player-manager.

Shrewsbury Town Morrell was appointed as assistant manager to his former Blackpool teammate Mike Jackson at Shrewsbury Town on 7 March 2014, on a deal that ran until the end of the season. Following the club's relegation to League Two, Morrell left the club, with Jackson assuming assistant duties under new manager Micky Mellon.

Tamworth On 23 September 2014, Morrell made his return to football management by taking over at Conference North side Tamworth. He took over the side and quickly turned around their league campaign by taking them to the play-off spots, to the delight of the fans. He also played regularly for them, contrary of the previous seasons lack of games.

Redditch United In February 2018, Morrell departed Tamworth. Later in the same month, he joined Redditch United, scoring on his début in a 4–2 win over Gosport Borough on 20 February.

Hednesford Town Morrell was appointed manager of Hednesford Town in April 2020. He was sacked in October of that year after three defeats and a draw from the opening four games of the season.

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

Team From ToRecordWrexham 23 September 2011 24 February 2014Tamworth 23 September 2014 7 February 2018 Total—

Honours

Player Blackpool Football League One play-offs: 2007

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2002–03 Third Division

Manager Wrexham FA Trophy: 2012–13

Individual Conference Premier Manager of the Month: October 2011 Conference North Manager of the Month: December 2014