Steve Wignall

Steven Leslie Wignall (born 17 September 1954) is an English former professional football manager and player. During his playing career, Wignall, who played as a central defender, made over 600 appearances in the Football League.

Playing career Born in Liverpool, Wignall played professionally for Doncaster Rovers, Colchester United, Brentford and Aldershot, making a total of 639 appearances in the Football League. He retired as a player in 1991.

In the summer of 1976 Wignall had been signed on loan by Brian Clough for Nottingham Forest, but a suspension held-over from the end of the previous season rendered him ineligible for competitive matches and he returned to Doncaster without ever appearing for Forest, although he did appear in one of Forest's team group photographs.

Coaching career After his retirement from playing he joined the coaching staff at Aldershot, before assisting Ian McDonald. After Aldershot went out of business in 1992, a new club, Aldershot Town was formed, and Wignall became their first ever manager, winning back to back promotions before former club Colchester United signed him in January 1995. During his time at Colchester he led the club to promotion via the play-offs in 1997/98 and to the final of the Associate Members' Cup the year before. He stayed as manager until he resigned in January 1999, believing he had taken the club as far as he could. In April 2000, he joined Stevenage Borough and was offered a two-year contract but never signed it and, when approached a month later by former club Doncaster Rovers, he decided to manage them instead, having only managed 8 games at Stevenage.

In 2009, Wignall published his autobiography titled You Can Have Chips.

Honours

As a player Brentford Associate Members' Cup runner-up: 1984–85

Aldershot Football League Fourth Division play-offs: 1987

As a manager Aldershot Town Isthmian League Division Three: 1992–93

Colchester United Football League Third Division play-offs: 1998 Football League Trophy runner-up: 1996–97