Dave Wilkes

Michael Knighton period In 1997, then-Carlisle United chairman Michael Knighton refused to look for a new manager after Mervyn Day's departure, so he took over team selection and coaching. He was helped by John Halpin and Wilkes, who were both directors of coaching.

Newcastle United Around 1999, after leaving his post at Carlisle United, Wilkes joined Newcastle United's academy on the invitation of academy manager Alan Irvine.

Huddersfield Town On 9 July 2002, Wilkes joined Mick Wadsworth at Huddersfield Town as first-team coach. Wadsworth was sacked in January 2003, but the club could not pay him out, so he was reinstated. He was sacked again in March 2003, although Wilkes stayed as coach under caretaker-manager Mel Machin. He left in May 2003, along with Machin and goalkeeping coach Dave Watson, when Huddersfield were placed into administration.

Return to Carlisle United Wilkes re-joined Carlisle United in 2005 as the head of their Centre of Excellence. As of 2019, he was still performing this role.

Death Wilkes died on 22 June 2023, at the age of 59.